Brake servicing is perhaps one of the most important ongoing maintenance tasks that drivers face. Your brakes are directly related to your level of safety in your vehicle, and should be inspected and/or serviced on a regular basis. Although they usually require less frequent servicing, brake rotors can wear out just like any other part of the brake assembly. The quality and condition of your car’s brake rotors are important for your safety and should be cared for diligently. In this article, we’ll go over what brake rotors do and what you can expect in terms of servicing them.
What are brake rotors?
Your car’s brake assembly is comprised of several different components, all of which serve very important functions. One such component is the brake rotors. The brake rotors look like large metal plates that attach to the wheel. Their main function is to act as a grip for the brake pads to latch onto when the calipers apply pressure as the brake pedal is pushed down. This ultimately slows the wheel rotation and brings the vehicle to a stop. In normal brake servicing, brake pads usually need to be replaced far more often than rotors or calipers; however, if brake pads or other brake assembly components become worn and remain that way for an extended period of time, the rotors can become damaged and require servicing or even replacement.
How long do brake rotors typically last?
Brake rotors can last for a wide time interval, which is highly dependent upon the driver’s unique driving habits and conditions, the age of the vehicle, the condition of the other brake assembly components, and the quality of parts used in previous replacements. However, on average, brake rotors tend to last anywhere between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. It is important to refer to your owner’s manual and consult an automotive specialist for optimal rotor and brake care.
Signs that indicate you may need to service your brakes
As long as you’re following your maintenance plan for your car, then your brake should theoretically remain in good condition consistently. However, it’s important to keep an eye out for the signs of premature brake wear so that your vehicle remains safe and reliable. Here’s what you can look for if you suspect that your brakes need servicing:
- Illumination of the brake warning light
- Noises coming from your brakes
- Burning smells
- Changes in brake pedal feel
- Intense vibrations when applying the brakes
- Visible rotor wear
These symptoms are concerning and should be addressed immediately to ensure your safety. Often brake rotors aren’t the culprit of the aforementioned brake issues; although rotor repair or replacement may be necessary if other damaged, worn, or failing brake components have damaged the rotors. The rotors are an integral part of your brake assembly, and when they are damaged, scratched, or gouged, it can also prematurely wear calipers and brake pads.
How you can keep your rotors from failing
Consistent, routine brake care practices is the best way to keep your rotors in optimal, functioning condition. It’s also important that you find an automotive shop that has specialized knowledge in the specific type of vehicle you drive—this will help ensure that you receive the highest quality services, parts, and ongoing preventive maintenance possible. Here’s a short list of a few other things you can do to keep your rotors in good condition moving forward:
- Find alternate routes that don’t involve stop-and-go traffic
- Alter your driving habits
- Keep your car as light as possible
- Attend to ongoing, routine maintenance tasks
- Hire a specialist service your car
Here at Das European Autohaus, we proudly serve a diverse range of clients from the areas of Spring and Houston, TX, who drive European imports such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes, MINI, Volkswagen, and Porsche. We narrow our focus of expertise in order to provide the highest quality specialized services to our clients, but we don’t charge the same high rates that nearby dealerships often do, making us one of Houston’s leading European automotive specialists. Brake care is one of the most important facets of ongoing maintenance, and we take it very seriously—our client’s safety is of the utmost importance to us. If you’d like to have your brakes inspected or serviced, please contact us to schedule an appointment right away.
