First let me give you my opinion on oil changes. Don't go over five
thousand miles without an oil change and oil filter change. Have the
air filter checked also and cleaned or replaced.

About the brakes. Go to a shop that does brakes only or as their main
business. But do NOT go to Ammaco (sp).

They should be able to replace front and rear pads if they are needed
and check rotors cheaper than a dealer and as it is thier main
business do a better job. Ask for a warranty (written) on labor and
such. If they won't give one go somewhere else.

Brake life is dependant on who is driving the car. I can make pads
last two years and thirty thousand miles, but then again I drive like
an old woman who has eggs in her lap. Also I have a manual
transmission so I use the tranny to help slow down the car
(downshifting).

Papa Ray

I have an '00 Altima SE with automatic, most of the miles are highway miles.
Just replaced front pads at 56k miles two weeks ago.  Pads still had about
5-10% wear left.  Only cost $57 for the pads and I did the work in about an
hour.  The rotors were in perfect shape and did not require turning.

Make sure you use OEM parts or better.   Stay away from cheap after market
brake pads.

I drive a 94 Altima .... yup, quite an older model than yours but I
thought this might be of help to you. I just had my brake pads changed
for the first time. The pads that came with the car lasted well over
80K miles!! Not sure if it is the quality of the pads, my luck, my
driving techniques of not riding the brakes or a combination of all
these. The rear pads were only half worn as well!

Anyway, I ordered Nippon OEM parts through one of the online places -
saves upto 30% of the costs when compared with a dealer. Be happy to
search and advise the online site I ordered it from if you need. Take
the pads to one of the local Goodyears or someone else you prefer and
have it put on. Overall savings for me was over 45% when compared to
dealer costs. Hope these will last me another 80K miles!

Cheers
Subbarayudu
NOsdarisiSPAM@hotmail.com

Unless you drive like my ex-wife, all go and then slam on the brakes,
you don't even need a brake job. You might have a problem with
calipers not releasing. Is your brake fluid level ok, notice any leaks
in your driveway?

You should not have to have pads with that small number of miles
unless, you do some unusual driving.

Take it to a place that does only brakes, wheel and alignment type
work. It might cost you a little to get them to give you what they
think. DO NOT GO TO AMACO.  Talk to your friends, find a place that
they liked and didn't screw them over.

Unless I am completely mis-understanding your problem, your dealer is
dis-honest and only wants your money.

Less than $ 200 for semi-matallic on both axles. Around Central Florida, $
80 per axle is about average.