Brake pads are the component of standard disc brake systems that most drivers are familiar with, but your brake rotors are just as important. Understanding the purpose of your rotors and knowing when it's time to replace them is essential to stay safe on the road. Here is an overview of what every driver should know about brake rotors.

What Are Brake Rotors?

Brake rotors are metal discs attached to the hubs of your wheels. The rotors spin with the wheels while the brake pads remain stationary, held in place on either side of the rotors by the brake calipers. When you press your brake pedal, the calipers press the brake pads against the rotors to create friction and stop your vehicle.

In addition to stopping your vehicle, the rotors play an important role in dissipating heat created by using your brakes. The surfaces of brake rotors often have ribs or holes that direct hot air away from the brake pads and wheels while directing cool air onto the rotor. Without your rotors dissipating this heat, your brake pads and other components of the disc brake assembly would wear much more quickly.

How Do Brake Rotors Wear?

Every time you use your brakes and friction is applied to your rotors, the surface of the rotors wears slightly. Over time, this can create grooves in the rotor along the path of the brake pads or wear down the ribs that are used to dissipate heat. If the brake pads aren't changed in a timely manner, they can wear down to the metal and grind against the rotors to cause significant damage.

Rotors can also become warped over time from repeated exposure to heat and friction. This can cause a problem known as rotor run-out, where the rotors wobble side-to-side slightly as you drive. Rotor run-out is a risk for the safe handling and braking of your vehicle, and warped rotors will always need to be replaced.

When Is It Time to Replace Your Rotors?

While many drivers simply replace their rotors and brakes at the same time, there are several ways to tell for certain if your rotors need to be replaced. On vehicles with large enough spaces between the spokes, you may be able to visually inspect the rotors by looking through the wheel. If the rotors appear to have grooves in the surface or a blue discoloration (caused by heat), it's likely time to replace them.

Other signs that your rotors are bad will reveal themselves while you drive your vehicle. A squealing noise could indicate that your brake pads are worn to the point of needing replacement, while a grinding noise could mean they have worn even further and the metal part of the pads is scraping against your rotors.

Worn rotors can also create vibrations that you can feel while driving. If your rotors are warped or nearing run-out, they may vibrate against the brake pads as you drive. This can result in pulsing vibration in the brake pedal or your steering wheel. You should address this problem immediately, as it will cause both the rotors and pads to wear much more quickly.

A general rule of thumb is that you should replace your brake rotors every 30,000 to 70,000 miles you drive. Your driving habits and the traffic you usually drive in will affect the precise lifespan of your rotors.

Brake rotors are an essential part of disc brake systems that every driver should know how to maintain. Keep these tips in mind, and visit Midland Muffler and Brake when you need rotor replacement or any other auto repair service.