Receiving news that your car needs to be repaired is never fun, especially when you aren’t clear on the affected parts. Two common parts of a vehicle that require repair are the brakes and rotors. Often, they are impacted simultaneously, so it may add to the confusion of what they are.
Brakes and rotors are not the same things, but they rely on each other to make the vehicle braking system work properly. Brakes place pressure on the rotors which allow the car to stop movement. Although they both help the vehicle stop, they are distinct components.
Read about the differences between brakes and rotors and why they are essential to a vehicle’s performance.
Brakes vs. Rotors
The brake system on vehicles is complex and comprises several different parts. Two of the components that make up the braking system are brakes and rotors.
Brakes and rotors are different, but they do share some similarities:
| Similarities | Differences |
| Help stop the carBoth can be damaged by water or harsh weather conditions.Both are usually found on the front wheels of vehicles | Rotors are steel or metalRotors absorb heat Brakes can be made of iron, steel or graphite.Brakes wear out quicker |
Now, let’s learn more about both of these below.
Brakes
As you know, brakes are responsible for stopping a moving vehicle. You have brakes on both the front and back of your vehicle.
When looking at brakes, you will see several parts of the system. The components of a brake system are:
- Brake pads: the brake pads press on the rotors and help slow the car down when the brakes are engaged.
- Calipers: The calipers are responsible for holding the brake pads in place. Without calipers, the brake pads cannot successfully slow the car down.
- Pistons: the pistons press onto the pads and help to slow the vehicle down.
- Brake lines: The brake fluid travels in these tubes and allows the braking system to work correctly.
- Rotors: The brake pads press against the rotors, which allows the vehicle to stop.
Now that you know more about the brake system, let’s take a look at rotors on their own.
Rotors
The rotors are a part of the braking system in vehicles. If the rotors are bad, the car cannot correctly stop. Often the rotors will need to be replaced when the brake pads begin to wear grooves into the metal. If the rotors go bad, the car will be unable to stop.
Do Brakes and Rotors Go Bad at The Same Time?
Now that you know that brakes and rotors work together in the brake system, you may be wondering if they go bad at the same time.
Breaks and rotors don’t always go bad simultaneously, which means they don’t need to be replaced at the same time. Often, mechanics will recommend replacing both at the same time to ensure the brake system is working as efficiently as possible.
Sometimes the brake pads can be replaced in isolation, but if they have been worn down for any period, there is a chance you may have damaged the rotor. While the damage may not be significant, it could impact the longevity of the braking system.
What Affects Brake Longevity?
Brakes don’t last the same amount of time on all vehicles. Most brake systems have an average wear time between 25,000 and 60,000 miles.
While this is an average life expectancy for brakes, it can differ for many reasons:
- Lack of inspection: Inspecting your car each year should be something that happens without fail. Unfortunately, not everyone takes this step, which can cause the brakes to become overly worn.
- Driving conditions: Depending on where you drive your vehicle, it could shorten the life of the brakes. Brakes don’t do well with wet and muddy conditions and can cause them to wear down quickly.
- Terrain: The type of terrain you drive on can impact the life of the brakes. If you are driving where constant braking is required, you will likely need to replace the brakes frequently.
- Sudden starts and stops: If you have a habit of stopping suddenly, your brakes will be impacted by the behavior and will wear down more quickly than usual.
Now that we know how long brakes last, let’s take a look at rotor longevity.
What Affects Rotors Longevity?
Knowing that rotors are essential parts of the braking system, you may wonder how long the rotors last on a vehicle. The rotors can last for between 30,000 -70,000 miles. The life expectancy of the rotors is also dependent on the driving you do. Sometimes the rotors will go bad before the brakes because they will stop the vehicle.
Other factors that impact the life of the rotors are:
- Driving conditions
- Weather
- Environment (sand, saltwater, snow)
While these aren’t the only factors that can impact the life expectancy of the rotors, they are the top causes of shortened rotor life.
How Do You Know When to Replace the Brakes and Rotors?
You may be wondering how you know it’s time to replace the brakes and or rotors on your vehicle. One of the key indicators that your brake system has parts that need to be replaced will be when your car doesn’t seem to be stopping as well as it used to.
Here are some other indicators that replacement is necessary:
- Grinding: If the components are bad, you will likely hear a rubbing or grinding sound coming from the wheels when the car stops.
- Shaking: If the brakes and rotors are going bad, you may also notice the car shaking when you attempt to stop.
Other indicators may indicate that the rotors and brakes are going bad, but these are the top clues. Regular inspections will help ensure the braking system continues to work correctly.
Final Thoughts
Brakes and rotors are not the same things, but they need to work together to ensure the braking system on your car works properly. You must regularly inspect your vehicle to ensure both components are in good shape. While they don’t always wear at the same rate, it would be wise to replace them together if there is any question of the wear to the rotors.