You press the brake pedal, your car slows down, and you go about your day. Simple, right? But when your brakes start squealing, grinding, or just don’t feel quite right, things get confusing fast—especially when you hear terms like brake pads and brake rotors thrown around.
So what’s the difference between the two? And more importantly, how do you know which one needs to be replaced?
Old Ox Tire & Auto answers these questions for thousands of drivers. If you’re in Sterling, Arlington, Alexandria, or Washington, DC, and your brakes aren’t feeling as responsive as they should, give us a call. We’ll help you understand what’s going on—and fix it right the first time.
Brake Pads vs. Brake Rotors: What They Do
Brake Pads
Brake pads are the replaceable components that sit inside your brake calipers. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure squeezes the pads against the rotors, creating the friction that slows your wheels down.
Pads are made of high-friction material that wears down over time. That’s why they need to be replaced regularly, usually every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on your driving style, environment, and vehicle type.
Brake Rotors (Brake Disc)
Rotors are the large metal discs that spin with your wheels. The pads clamp down on the rotors when you brake. Because rotors absorb a lot of heat and pressure, they wear down too, but typically at a slower rate than pads.
Rotors can become warped, grooved, cracked, or unevenly worn, which causes pulsation or vibration when braking. In some cases, they can be resurfaced (machined). In others, they need to be replaced entirely.
Signs Your Brake Pads Need Replacing
Brake pad wear is more common and happens sooner than rotor wear. Here’s how you know your pads might be worn out:
-
Squealing or squeaking noise when braking
-
Grinding sound (this means the pads are worn through and are now damaging the rotors)
-
Longer stopping distances
-
Brake pedal feels soft or spongy
-
Brake warning light on your dashboard
-
You can visually see thin brake pads through the wheels (less than 1/4 inch is a sign they’re due)
Once the pads wear down to the wear indicator or backing plate, it’s time to schedule a brake inspection.
Signs Your Rotors Might Be the Problem
Rotors don’t wear out as quickly as pads, but they do wear out—and sometimes they get damaged before the pads do. Look out for:
-
Vibration or pulsing when braking, especially at high speeds
-
A scraping or grinding noise, even with new pads
-
Grooved or uneven rotor surfaces
-
Visibly scored or cracked rotors
-
Rust buildup occurs if the car sits unused for a while
If your rotors are warped or damaged, replacing the pads alone won’t solve the problem—you’ll still feel the effects until the rotors are addressed.
Should You Replace Pads and Rotors Together?
It depends. If your pads are worn out but your rotors are still in good shape (not warped, cracked, or grooved), you can usually just replace the pads.
But if the rotors are damaged or too thin to safely resurface, we recommend replacing both at the same time. Installing new pads on bad rotors can lead to uneven wear, poor braking performance, and even squealing or vibration.
We’ll always measure your rotors and inspect their condition before making any recommendation—no guesswork, just honest advice.
We’ll Keep Your Brakes Working—and Quiet
Brake problems don’t just affect how your car drives. They affect your safety. Whether your pads are worn, your rotors are warped, or your brakes just don’t feel right, we’re here to help.
Old Ox Tire & Auto provides professional brake inspections and full brake repair services at all four of our locations:
Brakes acting up? Schedule a brake inspection today and we’ll make sure your pads, rotors, and the rest of your system are working the way they should.
