How long should the rear brake pads last. My car has 28,000 mile and the rear brake pad warning light cam on. I know the rear pad wear out quicker because of the traction control works on the rear brakes so they would wear faster.

 

It can vary from 10k-15k depending on how one drives and what brand of brake pads is used. OEM starts out around 7mm and others are 9mm or above. Depending on brake rotor wear to could see a warning message at around 2mm remaining. For the average basic driver get Porterfields they are above the thickness of OEM new and will last longer at well below OEM cost. Definitely not an exact replacement they work well for the cost. Depending on your mileage you need to make sure the rotors are within spec. thickness and check the wear of the handbrake pads.

 

How many miles would you estimate I would have before I do rotor damage? I think I will probably put no more than 400 miles if that before I put the car up for the winter.

 

Depends on how your driving it. @ 28k miles the rotors may be close to the wear limit and should be replaced. I would think about rotor replacement and handbrake pads as well. If it were me I'd gamble those 400 mi. And just replace everything in the spring.

 

Sorry but it’s an insufficiently framed question. What car? Steel or ceramic? The answers will vary.