How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
The lifespan of a given set of brake pads is dependent on a very wide set of variables ranging from personal driving style to the impersonal laws of physics. Mechanics and manufacturers have a loosely agreed upon mileage range from around 30,000 to 70,000 miles (48,280 to 112,654 kilometers), but stories of pads lasting a mere 100 miles (160.9 kilometers) to an astounding 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometers) abound. These far-ranging numbers are understandable. Pads come in an array of types and compositions — from composite to metallic to ceramic — and are attached to an even more bewildering array of brake systems and rotors, all of which affect the life of the pad. Added to the mix are heat, pressure and friction in amounts that would astound most drivers. Indeed the brakes, especially the pads, are some of the hardest working components in your car. For the purpose of this article we’ll deal solely with brake pads, meaning the pads used in caliper brakes rather than drum brakes. Th
