In your travels around Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, you may have seen or heard of some shops or stores that offer lifetime guarantees on some car parts. One part that is commonly available with a lifetime guarantee is your vehicle’s brake pads. It may seem too good to be true, but there really are companies that will give you a new set of brake pads in exchange for your used ones when they become worn out, under normal circumstances. However, no matter where you get your brakes done, a lifetime guarantee in no way means that you will never have to get new parts or pay for any brake service again.
When you purchase a new set of brake pads with a lifetime guarantee, the guarantee is on just that – the brake pads themselves. However, having a lifetime guarantee does not mean that you will never need new brake pads again. In most cases, it only means that the manufacturer or shop that sold you the warranty will give you the new brake pads free of charge when you bring them your worn out set. However, any labor or installation is not included, meaning that, if you have the work done at a shop, you will almost certainly still have to pay several hundred dollars to get your new brake pads installed.
You also have to realize that your vehicle’s braking system contains several different components that work together to bring your car to a stop. If your vehicle is starting to have problems braking but it is because of another component, such as the master cylinder, any of the hoses, or the rotors, your lifetime guarantee on brake pads won’t cover it.
So is it worth it? Well, in most vehicles under normal driving conditions, brake pads last around 50,000 miles before they start getting worn out. Most people drive less than 15,000 miles a year, so you’ll most likely only be able to get a free set of new brake pads a few times before you switch vehicles. Still, sounds like a no-brainer, right? You’ll be saving the cost of the brake pads every time, even if it’s only a few dollars. However, one complication is that many shops or stores charge more for the parts that include a lifetime guarantee, which in some cases can cost more than you would save.
If you need new brake pads, don’t hesitate to come into your Certified Auto Repair Specialist of Pasadena, or give us a call at (626) 793-2220 today. CARS is Pasadena’s favorite vehicle repair and service center.
