When should I get new tires or brakes?

MrAwesome

Senior member
Aug 31, 2003
914
0
0
Ok, my car has about 40k miles on it now. When should I consider getting new brakes and tires for it? How many miles do regular brakes last before they need to be changed out? Same with tires?
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Tires you can look at the tread and if it's low get new ones. Also you want to rotate them front on back and vice versa) to even out tread wear.

Brakes really need to be inspected. Rears almost always last more than 40k, and generally fronts will too.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Look at the tread of your tires, see how much is left. Both depend on the quality of the pad and tire, have a mechanic or someone familiar with cars tell you how much brake pad you have left.
 

shekondar

Golden Member
Apr 10, 2003
1,119
0
0
Disc brakes - when they start to make a high-pitched noise
Tires - look for the wear indicator lines on the tire (in the grooves of the tread) - when the surface of the tread is even with the top of the indicator line, replace the tire
 

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,899
1
0
Originally posted by: jumpr
Check your car's maintenance schedule. In other words, RTFM.

How is a maintenance schedule going to predict when tires or brakes are going to wear on a vehicle? Each vehicle varies because drivers and driving conditions greatly vary.

Now, when it comes to coolant changes, oil changes and tranny fluid changes, the manual will have some good suggested advice.

 

freebee

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 2000
4,043
0
0
Holy sh!t you spelled brakes right!!!!!!.....This is one of the few times i've ever seen anyone spell brakes right on an internet forum. Even in car forums people spell it as "breaks".....its quite amazing.

You just gave me an erection.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: freebee
Holy sh!t you spelled brakes right!!!!!!.....This is one of the few times i've ever seen anyone spell brakes right on an internet forum. Even in car forums people spell it as "breaks".....its quite amazing.

You just gave me an erection.
can I play with it?

 

Quixfire

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
6,892
0
0
Depending on the vehicle front brakes can last from 30 to 60K+ mile before needing replaced. Factory installed tires are usually good for 40-50K miles, a good simple check is to take a penny and insert it in the tire's tread with Lincoln's head straight down. If you can see any of Lincoln's hair above his forehead it's time for new tires.
 

tnitsuj

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
5,446
0
76
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: freebee
Holy sh!t you spelled brakes right!!!!!!.....This is one of the few times i've ever seen anyone spell brakes right on an internet forum. Even in car forums people spell it as "breaks".....its quite amazing.

You just gave me an erection.
can I play with it?

:Q
 

blakeatwork

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,113
1
81
replaced my brakes at ~70000KM's (3 years of use)
Haven't replaced the tires yet (now ~83000KM's/4 years of use), but they're due, and will be replaced in the spring.

It really depends on your driving style, terrain, and traffic..

 

ucdnam

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,059
0
0
I replaced my brakes when they started that squeeking noise. Took it to my friend who owns a car shop and got some performance brakes put in. World of difference in the stopping ability, but most wouldn't notice it since most don't drive like a maniac.

My OEM tires wore out at about 30K and got those replaced with better tires too.

Also slapped in better suspension and now when I brake, I don't get the car diving forward and same with turns.. no more car diving into the turn.

All of this makes the car much safer :)