How long should brakes last?

[Canice]

Of course there are many variables - and all of mine have changed, which is I guess why I'm asking.

In the past 18 months or so my driving has increased a LOT. Most of it owing to having traveled up to see my mother, then working in the suburbs for half a year, then settling things after Mom's death. Since spring I've also had to do a lot of driving here in the city. I bought the car (used) around 18 months ago and it's the first automatic I've ever owned.
I replaced the rear brakes last February and the front ones in late summer (may have done one set earlier, too) - now I'm hearing a mild but tell-tale squeak. I'm guessing I'm about to start the whole cycle over again? I've put almost 22,000 miles on the car since April 2006, a number that staggers my mind, but the odometer don't lie. That would mean 3-4 brake jobs in under two years! Again, it's a lot of miles driven, and this town is kind of harsh on tires, brakes, and clutches, but man it seems frequent; I think I used to go in every other year or so for one set. :confused:

[misskitty100]

There can be other reasons for the squeal noise besides your brakes needing to be replaced. Maybe just having part of it "machined" will quiet them.

When you have your car serviced does the tech measure the amount of brake pad you have left? Going back and looking over those records should be a good indicator as to whether you need to replace your brakes again (or not).

[Terri_A]

That seems like too many brake issues for that mileage or period of time. I drive A LOT. I got my new company car Dec. 23, 2006 and right now I have over 26,000 miles on it. I'll probably be at 29,000 miles by the time it hits a year. I've never had a brake issue in all of those miles. The factory brakes are still on. I know that whether you're doing a lot of stop and go makes a difference as well - and I stop and go all day long. I'm no expert, but that's at least food for thought.

[mbrogier]

Sometimes the stop and go in traffic and heat will warp the brake pads a bit a cause some squealing. This is normal wear and tear. If the squeaking doesn't go away soon, you can get the pads machined down to get the squeally part taken out by filing the warped part out.

[veschke]

I'd have them checked (peace of mind if nothing else, maybe there's a part defect...), but I've driven our car 110,000 miles and we've only had to get the brakes done twice.

[DeeK]

The harder composition of brake material these days can squeak even when the brakes are in good order.

My new brakes squeaked from the minute they were put on in the front. The back ones are quiet.

I'd have your mechanic take a look. Like everyone else mentioned -- squeaking does not ALWAYS mean they need replacement and in time you'll work past the squeaky spot on the pads.

Now if it gets noticably louder or more harsh -- then you might have a problem.

As for mileage -- my front brakes lasted 60,000 miles and my rear brakes were just replaced for the first time at 123,000 miles (that's on my elderly Honda CR-V) on our Mustang we get between 50 and 60,000 miles on a set of brakes)

[sparrowgrass]

How long your brakes last depends so much on what kind of driver you are.

I take pride in not using my brakes--I don't mean that I plow into anything on a regular basis, :eek: but I try hard to plan ahead, to take my foot off the gas, and not have to hit the brakes.

Mine have 100,000 miles on them, and my mechanic says they are fine.

If you ride your brakes (keep your foot on the brake because you are afraid the person in front of you is going to stop) or brake hard at stoplights because you didn't slow down, your brakes will wear out much quicker. And your gas mileage will suffer, too.

(Not accusing anyone of anything, just sayin'. :) )

[Canice]

Interesting. I'll revisit these posts again before taking the car in.

sparrowgrass, while I don't ride the brakes I know I use them more than I used to because I always drove manuals where you can manage much better; I wondered a bit about that. My actual style of driving hasn't changed but the car has and amount of driving had so I'm trying to figure out the cause. As I say, this town is notorious for burning tires, clutches and brakes, so maybe...oh, I don't know. I'll keep all these thoughts in mind and ask the mechanic.

[swquilts]

Brakes will squeal when you are NOT applying them if they need replacing. This is a signal that the pads are at their minimum.

According to DH (a mechanic) some brakes squeal/squeak for many different reasons. Dust, humidity, air (salty in your case probably) will contribute to the problem.

I would call your mechanic and ask about the measurement like Misskitty mentioned. Also, did they turn the rotors or just replace the pads?

[Jalapeno]

Canice when I was commuting I was averaging 2 break jobs a year. What was eating up the breaks was the tollroad down here. Coming home every night I would sit it a lot of traffic coming down a very steep road. Being in SF...I would bet that is what is adding to your frequent break jobs too.

I know my breaks squeek when I get a build up of break dust....once I get that cleared out it stops.

[ErinM]

Ooh! Ooh! I know! Brakes should last as long as it takes you to stop the car!

What do I win??? :D

(kidding. I think the answer is 5 years?)

[DeeK]

Ooh! Ooh! I know! Brakes should last as long as it takes you to stop the car!

What do I win??? :D

(kidding. I think the answer is 5 years?)

You win a free air bag replacment coupon. :D