life of brakes

[coratz]

i have noticed that some of you gays/ guys are gettin up in km/ miles has anyone had to replace any pads/shoes or rotors yet? if so at what milage. please post miles or kilometers. i wonder what the life expectancy is. thanks guy/gals

[Savoy]

I was wondering the same thing. I now have 30,000 miles on my Vibe and no sign of worn brakes yet....-Savoy-

[pmh013]

Mine has just over 50,000 km on it (yes I know that is a lot). Brakes are still good, but tires ...GM replaced that catalytic converter last week. It was plugged. They don't know why.

[Toasted7]

Speaking of brakes... I have an issue with mine. I'm not sure if this is normal or not (I don't think it is) but I have about 6,000 miles on my Vibe now and the brakes seem to "grab" when I am just applying slight pressure (ie. going down a hill or approaching a stop sign). It doesn't do it all the time, but when it does, it is sudden and makes the car slow down a lot. I'm not sure if there could be something wrong or not... anyone else had this happen to them?

[ragingfish]

Mine used to be very sticky when new. I love sticky brakes.Unfortunately, though, I'm getting around 13,100 miles, and my brakes don't seem to be cutting it anymore. I'm very concerned about them. Already told the dealer to check them out at next service visit.As for my tires? Hell, AFAIK, they're shot to hell. Crappy goodyears.

[pmh013]

quote:As for my tires? Hell, AFAIK, they're shot to hell. Crappy goodyears.I'm surprised you'd say that .... most of us are whining about the Conti's but the GY owner's seemed happy.You know I was just thinking about Savoy & I not having any brake problems. I don't know about Savoy, but all my miles are on the highway -- straight through, no stopping. So, on a per mile basis, my brakes are used very little ... probably less than someone who is a city driver and owned their car for only a few months.I guess that's one good thing about being a long-distance commuter: my brakes will last a long time!

[ragingfish]

I have a 50/50 back road / highway commute...so mine get used probably 25% more than highway drivers, but 25% less than city drivers...As for the tires, I'm extremely disappointed with their lack of traction...I can't move at a reasonable speed on wet roads without skidding. It's absurd. I have to go 35 or less on turns rated 45+.

[Vibe Rater]

quote:Mine has just over 50,000 km on it (yes I know that is a lot). Brakes are still good, but tires ...GM replaced that catalytic converter last week. It was plugged. They don't know why.Just curious. What brand of gas do you normally use?

[Vibe Rater]

Tires that come with a new car are notorious for wearing quickly. They don't put the best tires on at the assembly plant and they will wear out quickly. Your next set of skins should last a lot longer.

[ragingfish]

quote:Just curious. What brand of gas do you normally use?Does it matter? I thought gas was gas...at least that's what I'd been told anyway...

[Vibe Rater]

Different brands of gas are 'cleaner' than others. Also, some brands use ethynol and others don't. Maybe the ethynol is plugging up the cats? Or maybe a lack of ethynol is the problem. Knowing what brand he uses might help to answer these and other questions.

[ragingfish]

That's good to know. I read an article in CR once that actually said go where the gas is cheapest, gas is gas. Glad to know that may not be 100% accurate.Personally, I normally stick to the major brands, Exxon, Mobil, Getty, BP, Amoco, Sunoco, Gulf, Wawa, etc. and haven't had any problems. I only go no-name when there's a large price break. Which is rare, just BTW.