When to Replace the Original Brakes on a Camry

"Toyota's midsize Camry has been the best-selling car in America for nine of the past 10 years," according to the online version of Kelley Blue Book in 2009. This decade of explosive sales means that many Camry owners are likely beginning to wonder when they should replace their brakes.

Brake Life Expectancy Factors

Ask any mechanic how long your brakes will last and you'll get questions such as these: "How do you drive?" "Where do you drive?" "Do you use the engine to help slow the car, or are you a person who waits until the last second to stop for a light or stop sign?" All of these factors, and others, determine brake life. No two drivers will get the same mileage on a set of brakes; there are just too many variables, and that makes predicting brake replacement by mileage alone impossible.

How to Predict the Need for New Brakes

The most reliable way to know when it is time to replace the original brakes on a Camry, or any car, is to develop a relationship with a mechanic at your favorite repair garage and ask him to check the brakes when your car is in for an oil change or other service. Of course, if your brakes are making grinding noises when you step on the pedal, take the car to your mechanic right away and have him check it over. He can visually check the thickness of the brake friction material and advise you as to when the brakes should be checked again, or replaced.