Tesla vehicles are a marvel of modern engineering, but they are, nevertheless, still subject to the laws of physics. So when it comes to brake rotors, even though they last much longer on a Tesla, eventually they will need to be replaced.
The frequency of Tesla brake rotors replacement will depend on the kind of driving you do – do you brake hard or do you let regenerative braking do most of the work? Do you take your Tesla into the mountains in winter? Both California and Nevada use salt on the roads during winter, which dramatically accelerates rust and corrosion. If you take your Tesla to the ocean, the humidity in the air can accelerate corrosion as well.
While some sources claim that your Tesla can go 100,000 miles between rotor replacements, Tesla recommends yearly caliper cleaning and lubrication – we highly recommend following this schedule – when we perform caliper cleaning and lubrication, we can also visually inspect brakes for grooves or scoring, for rust, and we can measure the rotors to make sure they are above the minimum thickness. Naturally, if you notice shuddering while braking, or brake pedal pulsation, don’t wait for the regular caliper cleaning interval - call us right away to schedule an appointment. You could also make an appointment online, on our website, but optimally functioning brakes are vital to your safety, that’s why we recommend calling the shop directly and confirming an appointment as soon as possible.