> Robyn wrote: > What is the normal lifespan of brakes on a car? > > Today will be the second time in 2 years (!) that I will have to > replace my brakes (and rotors on the front) on my Subaru Outback. Am I > driving wrong, or is this normal? I drive about 12-15K miles a year. > 50% city, 50% highway. >
I'll take a shot - Brake pads wear depending on how much you use them which means that if you ride the brakes a lot, or drive really fast and then slam on the brakes a lot, you'll get fast wear of the pads. I have a white car and when it's clean I can slam on my brakes at high speeds and see the pad dust coat the side of the car; the pads are designed to wear away. Pads are cheap and easy to replace. A "normal" driver could blow through a set in 2 years (15k/yr), but I'd say more like 3 to 4. Brake rotors only need to be replaced if they "warp". This gives you a shudder in your steering wheel when you apply the brakes since your brakes aren't grabbing the rotor through its full rotation. Rotors can warp if they're really hot and then you drive through a puddle thus cooling them too fast. You may also need to replace them if you've worn away all of the brake pads and the bolts start eating into the rotors, but this only happens on a seriously ill-maintained car. In summary, assuming you don't track your car, I'd say 2 years is a bit early for pads unless you're a 2 foot driver or constantly ride the brakes. I'd be asking about the warped rotors because that doesn't happen too often with a well maintained car. Does your significant other drive this car? Are they a crazy driver? If so, that explains it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Get help! RoboHelp http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=58 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:146917 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
