Absolutely correct when driven correctly.  That means shifting up through
the gears AND down through the gears, just like you ride a motorcycle.  You
should always be in the correct gear for acceleration, except in newer cars
with a 5th gear which is never suitable for acceleration.

By downshifting, you should hardly ever find yourself in a position to
apply brakes over 30 mph, except in emergencies.  Thus, with braking at 30
mph or lower, the wear and tear is minimal.  If a lot of driving is highway
mileage, you might go 100,000 miles or more between pads/shoes!

I have 41k on a 2001, with Automatic and rear drums.  I can't imagine having
to a rear brake job at 18k; the rear don't do nearly the work the fronts do.
I do occasionally get a grinding noise in the rear drums; however, both
times I had it checked out, it was a buildup of brake dust.   Dump the dust
out, put the drum back on and it's good for another few months before the
noise returns.

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Unless that dealers customers live on top of a mountain he is crazy, rear
brakes will out last the front at least 2 to one and then even more!!!. and
yes assuming that you down shift with the manual trans it will allow the
front and rear brakes to last longer

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

<He was very surprised I could still drive the car because he said 18,000
miles was typical for a brake job. *Smile

He then asked if I was driving a stick shift.  I said I was; and then he
said that explains it, except even so my mileage was exceptional.

Anyhow,  apparently a stick shift gets a lot more out of the brakes.
Thought you all might like to know that.>
===============================================
So far all of you have missed two VERY OBVIOUS CONDITIONS:
WHERE YOU LIVE! and HOW YOU DRIVE
I have a 2001 5 speed PT ( used to have a 92 5 speed Loyale, 128K on
original brakes and a 5 speed tercel 99K on original brakes and 188K total
miles before coastal cancer ate it) and so far have 45K on it with the only
noise from the dust in the right rear drum.
I can drive 65 miles east with only one light to brake for, 16 north with
only one stop sign, and south for about 30 miles before a light.
I ALWAYS gear down, and much to the chagrin of my neighbors to south (CAL)
DO NOT FLOOR IT, so I can SCREECH to a STOP at the next light about 2 blocks
away.
When I approach my turn to go west to the beach, with no traffic behind me,
I usually do not need to even apply the brakes to turn as the gears slow me
down enough.
=====================================
Driving techniques play a very important in all aspects of longevity of the
components.
With the above mentioned miles of travel, I CHANGE THE OIL and FILTER
FAITHFULLY every 6 to 9 THOUSAND MILES.
So far all of the above vehicles mentioned have not EVER had ANY ENGINE WORK
DONE.

BTB MPG is usually around 27 average! AND I DO HAVE A LEAD FOOT for TOP END
SPEED, I do not expect blistering acceleration from 150 HP and a weight of
about 3,300 LBS, and of course DO NOT GET IT.
Last rocket I owned was a 1965 COMET with a transplanted 351CU CLEVELAND
ENGINE and a few speed goodies added......way back in my YOUTH!

h

Don't brag too much until you get the bill for an early clutch
replacement from all that down-shifting :p