Brake Pad Wear Estimator (Remaining Life)
Enter pad thickness now and miles since fitting to estimate remaining life.
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Brake Pad Wear Estimator (Remaining Life) by TheCalcTools
How the Brake Pad Wear Estimator (Remaining Life) works
Measure the pad thickness (friction material) now.
Wear rate = (new − now) ÷ miles driven. Remaining miles = (now − replace-at thickness) ÷ wear rate.
Choose a driving style to scale the future wear rate.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| New pad thickness (mm) | 12 |
|---|---|
| Pad thickness now (mm) | 7 |
| Miles driven since the pads were fitted | 18000 |
| Replace at (mm) | 3 |
| Future driving style | Same as before |
| Miles per year | 12000 |
- Pads wore from 12 mm to 7 mm in 18,000 miles, a rate of 0.28 mm per 1,000 miles.
- To reach the 3 mm limit you have about 14,400 miles, around 14.4 months. Status: OK.
Result:
| Wear rate (mm per 1,000 miles) | 0.28 |
|---|---|
| Miles left to the replacement point | 14,400 |
| Months left at your yearly miles | 14.4 |
| Pad worn so far | 42% |
| Status | OK |
Frequently asked questions
How long do brake pads last?
Between 25,000 and 70,000 miles depending on the vehicle, the pads and how you drive.
Is this a safety check?
No. It is an estimate. Replace pads at the first sign of squealing, grinding or a soft pedal, and have a mechanic inspect the brakes.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.