A hybrid vehicle uses a gasoline engine and an electric motor to power itself. This combination means the vehicle uses less gasoline, helping hybrids to achieve better gas mileage than standard vehicles. While this is the most significant benefit of choosing a hybrid vehicle for most people, there may be other perks, especially when considering regular vehicle maintenance. Our team at Huffines Kia Corinth created this guide to help you understand whether brakes on hybrid vehicles last longer than those on standard, nonhybrid cars.
How Long Do Brakes on Hybrid Vehicles Last?
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Brakes on hybrid vehicles may last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. However, it’s important to remember that the exact lifetime of brakes may vary depending on vehicle type and hybrid model. Also, it may be possible that you need to replace your brake rotors before you need to replace your brake pads.
Your driving habits may also affect how long the brakes on your hybrid vehicle last. For example, if you tend to ride the brakesby hovering your left foot over the brake pedal, this may prompt you to step on the brakes more often or on both pedals. Riding the brake will wear down your vehicle’s brake pads more quickly. Similarly, if you follow vehicles too closely and slam on the brakes to avoid an accident, this will decrease the life span of your brakes. Following another vehicle too closely may also trigger the anti-lock braking system, significantly reducing the lifetime of your rear brake pads.
Your driving environment can also influence the lifetime of your brakes. For example, driving in areas with heavy stop-and-go traffic that requires frequent stopping may wear your brakes down faster. Mountainous roads or hilly areas may also wear your breaks down faster because of the frequent and intense braking.
Do Brakes on Hybrid Vehicles Last Longer Than Normal Cars?
Brakes on hybrid vehicles generally last longer than those on nonhybrid cars. Hybrid vehicles rely less on gas, helping achieve excellent gas mileage and preserving the lifespan of the brakes. These vehicles often use the electric motor to slow the car down rather than the engine. However, traditional vehicles only have gasoline or diesel engines, requiring more fuel, which puts more wear on the brakes.
While exact mileage lifespan may vary, brakes on nonhybrid vehicles may last as little as 10,000 to 30,000 miles and up to as much as 70,000 miles. This is significantly less than the average lifespan for brakes on hybrid vehicles. The initial investment in a hybrid vehicle may come with a higher price tag, but this may also reduce your required brake maintenance and help you save on the cost of parts and service.
How Often Do I Need To Replace My Brakes?
The best way to determine how often you need to replace your brakes is to reference your vehicle’s owner’s manual and review the recommended maintenance guidelines. It’s also helpful to monitor your vehicle for certain indicators that it’s time to replace your brake pads and rotors. For example, your vehicle may have a warning light that alerts you when something is wrong with your brakes, or your brake pedal starts to feel like it goes to the floor too easily, or vibrations may be a cause for concern.
Visually inspecting your brake pads is also helpful for monitoring their lifespan. You can see your brake pads between the spokes of your wheels. If they appear to be less than a quarter of an inch thick, it’s time to replace them. While it may be possible to go slightly longer, replacing your brakes when you see they’re thin may help prevent damage or even accidents.
Sounds are another excellent way to monitor whether it’s time to replace your brakes. While brakes may squeak or squeal during rainy weather, making this sound whenever you drive is cause for concern. Similarly, any grinding or crunching sounds that occur when braking is a red flag. This metallic sound is typically the result of the metal-on-metal contact of the rotor and caliper if your brake pad wears away completely.
One of the easiest ways to remove the guesswork from replacing the brakes on your hybrid vehicle is to keep up with regular maintenance. The Kia Maintenance Plan makes it easy for you to follow the factory-recommended maintenance schedule and ensures a qualified professional will look at your vehicle regularly. Regular maintenance helps your vehicle perform optimally, potentially preventing other concerns or driving hazards.
Tips for Extending the Life of Your Brakes
Here are some more tips that may help you increase the life of your brakes:
Select the Correct Brake Pads and Rotors
Always use the specific brake pads and rotors recommended for your hybrid vehicle. This helps support the optimal performance of your vehicle to maintain a long lifespan of your brakes. Using genuine Kia parts, such as brake pads, is even better because the company specifically designed, built, and tested them to work with Kia vehicles.
Check for Wear and Tear
Visually check your brake pads and rotors often. Look at the thickness of your brake pads and examine your brake rotors for any grooves or scores in their otherwise smooth surface. Schedule professional service if you notice these visual cues of wear and tear or hear any troubling sounds when braking.
Use a High-Quality Hybrid Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is important for preventing corrosion and rust on many parts of your brakes, such as the brake pads, discs, and calipers. Choose a hybrid-specific brake fluid and refer to your owner’s manual for further instruction. Fill your brake fluid reservoir with the recommended amount, and refill or replace brake fluid per factory recommendations.
This brings us to the end of our guide, discussing whether brakes on hybrid vehicles last longer than standard, nonhybrid vehicles. We’re proud to be your trusted name for everything Kia in the Corinth, Texas, area at Huffines Kia Corinth. No matter what kind of Kia you’re in the market for, we can help you find it. We encourage you to contact us with questions about owning a new, pre-owned, or hybrid vehicle. Come visit us soon and discuss your next vehicle purchase with our friendly staff.