How Long Can You Drive with Worn Brake Pads?
3 Answers
When the dashboard indicates brake pad wear, the safe driving distance is approximately 100 kilometers, with complete wear-out occurring around 1,000 kilometers. Below is relevant information: 1. Brake Wear: Brake wear is relatively common in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Simply put, it refers to the wear of the brake pads in a car. The extent of brake pad wear depends on the vehicle's usage. During operation, brake pads naturally wear, but the degree of wear is influenced by the driver's habits and the road conditions. 2. Precautions: Newly manufactured brake pads have a thickness of about 11 cm, with a wear limit of 2 mm. For vehicles used infrequently, it is recommended to replace the brake pads every 4-5 years. For vehicles in frequent use, replacement should be based on the actual wear condition.
When the brake pads are severely worn, whether you can drive for long depends on the specific situation, but the distance is really limited, and the safety risk is too high—don't take chances. I remember once when my car's wear indicator sounded, I tried driving slowly to the repair shop, just about 10 kilometers, and the brake pedal had to be pressed all the way down to get any response. On a rainy day, when the car behind was too close, I almost rear-ended them. Later, the inspection revealed that the brake discs were scratched, costing an extra 2,000 yuan to fix. The normal wear limit is about 2mm. If only this thickness remains, driving in the city might last a few hundred kilometers at most. On the highway, with less braking, it might hold up a bit longer, but the more severe the wear, the longer the braking distance becomes, leaving no time to react in emergencies. I suggest that as soon as you hear unusual noises or feel the brakes are soft, immediately slow down and drive to the nearest repair shop to replace the pads—don't wait until they fail completely.
To what extent does brake pad wear affect how far you can drive? From my experience, remaining thickness is key: new pads are typically 10-12mm thick, can still function normally when worn down to 3-4mm, but below 2mm requires caution as the metal backing plate will directly grind against the brake disc, damaging the entire system. Generally, driving another 100-200 kilometers isn't a big issue, but it depends on driving habits: frequent braking in city traffic might push it to a 500-kilometer limit, while steady highway cruising could extend to 1,000 kilometers. I've also observed that high summer temperatures or rainy/snowy weather significantly reduce braking efficiency, causing wear points to fail faster. The best practice is to personally check pad thickness using calipers or inspecting the wheel hub—if they're worn down to the bare minimum, don't hesitate and visit a professional shop immediately to prevent greater damage.
