The problem with making the pads last longer, is that you have to make a compromise somewhere else. Conservation of energy at its finest.
You either loose braking force, create noise, create heat, or create much more dust and faster pad wear.
Comparing mileage does not really relate either, as driving doesn't wear the brakes at all, only stopping.
Also, I recommend taking a look for yourself when a shop says it needs brakes, as a lot of places will recommend them when they're just past half way worn down. The light will come on at ~2mm remaining, but its only fitted to one pad per axle, so any of the other three pads could wear faster for a number of reasons.
The same thing goes for rotors. Unfortunately for the owners, brakes pay the technician very well to replace at most dealerships, and it is usually twice as much to replace the rotors at the same time. So between the extra money to be made, and the possibility of poorly worn rotors causing noise, and an upset customer, most of the time the technicians recommendation will be to do both.
I am not trying to justify this action in the least, I do not agree with it, and my shop charges 2/3s of the labor hours (and a much lower rate) then dealerships, and most shops, charge to do brakes.
You either loose braking force, create noise, create heat, or create much more dust and faster pad wear.
Comparing mileage does not really relate either, as driving doesn't wear the brakes at all, only stopping.
Also, I recommend taking a look for yourself when a shop says it needs brakes, as a lot of places will recommend them when they're just past half way worn down. The light will come on at ~2mm remaining, but its only fitted to one pad per axle, so any of the other three pads could wear faster for a number of reasons.
The same thing goes for rotors. Unfortunately for the owners, brakes pay the technician very well to replace at most dealerships, and it is usually twice as much to replace the rotors at the same time. So between the extra money to be made, and the possibility of poorly worn rotors causing noise, and an upset customer, most of the time the technicians recommendation will be to do both.
I am not trying to justify this action in the least, I do not agree with it, and my shop charges 2/3s of the labor hours (and a much lower rate) then dealerships, and most shops, charge to do brakes.