Disc brakes can be complicated

In terms of car part importance, brakes are top of the list. Making a car move is all well and good, but eventually, you’ll want to stop. And if you don’t properly maintain your brakes, you might find yourself in a dangerous situation. But complicated disc brakes can seem overwhelming, so let’s learn how to properly maintain them.

The three main parts of a disc brake are the brake pads, the brake rotors, and the calipers. To put it very simply, the calipers hold the pads in place and push those pads against the rotors in order to reduce the speed.

Every brand builds its brake pads differently, but they have a coating of ceramic material that, when pressed against the spinning rotor, it will be rubbed off. Typically, a pad starts with 8 to 12 millimeters of material, and once it gets down to three millimeters, it’s time to replace them.

How long a brake pad will last solely depends on how much you drive. You could go 1,000 miles without touching the brake if you’re driving down the highway. But in the city, you’re on the brake more than you’re on the gas. On average, they’ll last 45,000 miles, but the only way to know for sure is to frequently check them.

The rotors, meanwhile, are large metal discs connected to the axel that slow the vehicles down. It’s very easy to check your rotors, and in some cases, you don’t even need to remove the wheels. After a long-time use, rotors will develop little marks, which is normal. Brake rotors often last longer than pads, around 60,000. But again, it depends on your driving style.

If one of the calipers goes bad, you’ll notice one of a few things. If all of a sudden your brake pedal is rock hard, then you’re looking at a seized caliper. Drive the car around a bit, and apply a little bit of braking, then feel the wheels. Whichever one is hotter, it's the calipers that are stuck.