How can I make my rotors last longer?

Drive with the flow of traffic to avoid any unnecessary heavy braking. Give yourself plenty of following distance from the car in front of you so you can coast to a nice, easy stop. Remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle. Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and avoid any sudden braking.

How can I extend the life of my rotors?

How long do rotors usually last?

Your rotors are one of the most durable parts of your car, but the above factors can shorten their lifespan. Expect your rotors to last anywhere from 30,000-70,000 miles depending on the above factors.

Why do my rotors wear out so fast?

Common Causes of Worn Rotors

Panic or emergency braking at high speeds can cause rotor wear. The friction from the brake pad grabbing the rotor can cause high enough heat to result in wear.

How do I keep my rotors from warping?

You can prevent your brake rotors from warping - a good way to do this is by being mindful of your braking habits. Whenever you constantly pressing on the brakes or holding them down for an extended period, you can cause more heat than needed and that can warp the surface of your brake rotors.

Doing This Will Make Your Brakes Last Twice as Long

How often should rotors be replaced?

It's typically recommended that you change your rotors every 30,000 to 70,000 miles.

Can rotors last 100 000 miles?

Rotors are very capable of lasting more than 100,000 miles with proper brake inspections, maintenance, and brake pad changes. When brake rotors are replaced, it's advised to replace all of them and brake pads at the same time.

What makes rotors warp?

The brake rotors withstand a lot of heat during the process of braking, and need to dissipate this heat quickly so that the brake pads will be able to be pressed down again. Because of this mass amount of heat, the surface of the brake rotors can become uneven over time, which is often referred to as warping.

Is it cheaper to resurface or replace rotors?

Resurfacing these rotors with an on-car lathe can virtually eliminate runout problems, but it requires investing in the equipment. Some installers tell us it's cheaper and easier just to replace the rotors.

Is it OK to resurface rotors?

If your brake rotors have sufficient metal remaining with no hard spots, cracks, severe grooving or rusting, then the rotors could be resurfaced. Some have the opinion that unless the brake rotors have surface issues needing to be fixed, the rotors should not be resurfaced every time the pads are replaced.

Is it better to brake quickly or slowly?

The absolute safest way to corner is to slow to the desired speed before a corner. However, advanced drivers often get the bulk of their braking done before a corner, and smoothly reduce the braking as they turn in.

How do you prevent brake wear?

Can I put new brake pads on old rotors?

When properly bedded and used over time, a thin layer of brake pad material is transferred to the brake rotor surface, and this helps create optimal friction for stopping. When a set of pads is worn out and need to be replaced, it is perfectly ok to install a new set of pads on the old rotors.

How many times can rotors be resurfaced?

Even resurfaced rotors need to be replaced every 70,000 miles, doesn't matter that they are in good working condition. Look for signs of uneven wear, excessive runout, and heavy pitting, spotting, grooving, hard spots, or cracking.

Should I turn my rotors or buy new ones?

Typically you want to have your rotors turned every other brake change. This ensures that they remain free of debris and do not warp. Regular brake wear and hot spots can often cause your rotors to become warped and having them turned will ensure that they last as long as possible before having to be replaced.

Do ceramic brake pads wear rotors faster?

Ceramic brake pads typically last longer than semi-metallic brake pads, and through their lifespan, provide better noise control and less wear-and-tear to rotors, without sacrificing braking performance.

Can warped rotors be fixed?

Depending on how warped your rotors are, a mechanic may be able to straighten them. The process of “fixing” brake rotors is called turning or resurfacing. Brake rotor resurfacing involves scraping down the warped metal to achieve a smooth surface.

What are the signs of a warped rotor?

Warped rotors can cause a squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. They can also make a scraping or grinding sound when they're warped and worn down. The squealing noise, however, can also be made by brake pads that are worn out.

How much does resurfacing rotors cost?

Resurfacing cost per rotor can vary widely. If you remove your rotors yourself and take them to a shop or parts store for resurfacing, the cost can range from as little as $15 to over $45 per rotor. To have a repair shop remove, resurface and reinstall your rotors can cost up to $100 per wheel, $400 for the whole car.

How much do rotors cost?

Rotors cost between $30 and $75 each. Labor to replace rotors and pads is around $150 to $200 per axle. Brake pads and rotors come out to around $250 to $500 per axle.

What is the average cost of brakes and rotors?

How much should it be to replace the brake pads and rotors? Expect a brake job of replacing brake pads and rotors to cost $250-$400 per axle on average. If you drive a heavy-duty pickup truck and haul or tow a lot, your costs may go up quite a built.

Can you check rotors without removing wheel?

For cars with hub caps that don't expose the rotor, you will need to remove your wheel to inspect your brake rotors. On worn brake rotors, if you follow the rotor to the edge you can usually feel/see a noticeable lip.

Should I replace all 4 rotors?

You do not need to replace all 4 rotors at the same time, but it is recommended to replace the rotors and pads as a set for each axle front or back at the same time. If the front brakes need to be replaced but the rear brakes are not worn out yet, then you do not need to replace the rear brakes.

What brand of brake pads are the best?

What happens if you only change brake pads and not rotors?

The mismatch of old and new could cause a bit of noise and vibration as the two components (pads and rotors) get used to each other. When fitting new brake pads against old rotors, you also run the risk of uneven wear on the pads, which could result in having to replace them again sooner than you might like.