What is a normal or average life span for brake pads for disk brakes.

Question

I drive and break conservitively. I'm wondering if a squeak from my breaks on a 2008 Scion xB with 15k miles could be the wear indicators or just a squeak?

Answer 1

15K for factory brakes sounds low unless you roar up to stops and then jam on the brakes. 15 K on later sets might not be if the rotors were worn.

Answer 2

I suspect you just have a squeak, modern brakes are good for 40000 to 50000 miles under coservative driving conditions. It is about time for a tire rotation though and while they are they can will check your brakes for free.  

Answer 3

It really depends on your driving style.  Typically, brake pads on the front last for anywhere from 30 to 60,000 miles. If they just squeek  the first couple of times braking every day, then its probably from rust trying to form on the rotors after its been sitting for a while. I can't find any service bulletins in my data bases for anything pertaining to brakes. If it squeeks all the time, maybe they will do something for you under the factory warranty.

Answer 4

It sounds like just a squeak. I would give the brakes 40-60k miles before they need to be replaced, but checking them every other oil change doesn't hurt. If you change them before they start grinding, it will be less expensive than to have to replace the rotors as well.

Answer 5

Easy answer is to pull a front wheel and look at the pads. Disk brakes squeak at times and can be annoying. Only way to know, for sure, if they need replacing or not is to look and see how thick the pads are.