If there is one component in your car that has the longest amount of work to do, it is your brakes. In a short trip from your house to the nearest convenience store, you will use your brakes at least 20 times. Now imagine the amount of work performed by brake rotors on long road trips or during rush hour. Because of a great amount of working, brake rotors are more prone to wear and tear.
Worn out brake rotors can mess with your car’s braking system. This is why it is important to replace your brake rotors regularly. In this article, we’ll discuss various aspects of brake rotors, including their lifetime and function.
What Are Brake Rotors?
Most modern cars are equipped with disc brakes system. In this system, brake discs, also known as brake rotors, are one of the main components – others include brake pads and a brake caliper. When pressure is applied on the pedal, the caliper squeezes the pads against the rotating brake rotors. This produces friction because of which the vehicle either slows down or stops completely.
How Long Do Rotors Last
People often wonder when to change their rotors. The average lifetime of brake rotors depends on various factors including the condition of your rotors and the amount of work it performs regularly. While we cannot give a one-word answer to the most frequently asked question ‘what is the average lifetime of brake rotors,’ we’ll list some of the factors that contribute toward the regular wearing and tearing of brake rotors. Many auto mechanics believe that rotors should be replaced after every 70,000 miles covered by the vehicle.
1. Condition of Rotors
Only a physical examination of your braking system will give you a clear picture of the extent to which your brake rotors are worn out. If you believe that the rotors are not in a healthy condition, you should get them replaced as soon as possible. There is nothing as dangerous as driving your cars with worn out rotors.
2. Driving Style
How well you drive your car also plays an important role in the maintenance of your brake rotors. Aggressive and reckless driving puts strain on the brakes because of which they wear out within a short period. If you want your brake rotors to perform well, you should drive carefully.
3. Quality and Driving Environment
The material used in the construction of the rotors plays a defining role when it comes to the average lifetime of rotors. Brake rotors made of premium materials will last for years. On the other hand, the area in which you are driving the car will also have a direct effect on the life of rotors. If you are driving in places where you have to stop occasionally and then resume driving, the economic life of your brake rotors will reduce.
The Final Word
There are so many factors that influence the average lifetime of various components of your car. In case of brake rotors, your driving style has a major influence. To increase the useful life of your car’s brakes, make sure you don’t drive recklessly.