Brakes at Advance Auto Parts

Brakes work by using friction to turn kinetic energy into heat. There are two designs: drum brakes (older), and disc brakes (newer). Both use hydraulic pressure to move a piston outward. In disc brakes, the piston is located inside a caliper that houses brake pads and fits over the rotor. The friction lining on the pads makes contact with the rotor to slow the vehicle. In drum brakes, the piston moves two curved shoes lined with friction material against the inside of the brake drum.

Replacing brake pads and rotors at the same time is recommended. If your rotors are not smooth, then putting new brake pads on the existing rotors will prematurely wear the new brake pads. You'll get the best performance by replacing pads and rotors at the same time.

The average lifetime of brake rotors can vary. In normal driving conditions, pads and rotors can last 50-60,000 miles. In extreme usage, such as towing, hauling heavy loads or driving in mountains, the service interval might drop to 30-40,000 miles.