How Often Should the Brake Pads on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class Be Replaced?
2 Answers
When the mileage exceeds 85,000 kilometers, the brake pads on a Mercedes-Benz need to be replaced. There are four key maintenance methods for brake pads: 1. Avoid sudden braking, as emergency braking causes significant damage to the brake pads. When driving normally, pay attention to braking gently or using intermittent braking, which causes less wear on the brake pads. 2. Reduce the frequency of braking and develop good habits. You can use engine braking to slow down first, then apply the brakes for further deceleration or stopping. While driving, downshifting more can help achieve deceleration. 3. Regularly perform wheel alignment to prevent excessive wear on any single brake pad. If the vehicle shows signs of pulling to one side, promptly perform a four-wheel alignment to avoid tire damage and excessive wear on the brake pads on one side. 4. After replacing the brake pads, pay attention to the break-in period for optimal performance. After installing new brake pads, press the brake pedal several times to eliminate the gap between the brake pads and the brake disc. Additionally, new brake pads require a break-in period of 200 kilometers to achieve the best braking performance.
I've been driving a Mercedes-Benz A-Class for several years, and there's really no rigid number for brake pad replacement timing—it largely depends on your driving habits and road conditions. If I'm stuck in city traffic every day with frequent braking at red lights, they might need replacement just over 20,000 km. But if I do more highway driving with fewer hard stops, they can last up to 35,000–40,000 km. The key is regular thickness checks—have the technician measure them during each service, or don't delay if the Mercedes dashboard warning light comes on. Last time I heard squeaking brakes, a measurement showed just 2.5 mm thickness left—nearly caused an accident. So my routine is to check every ~20,000 km and replace immediately if below 3 mm. Don't underestimate this—worn-out pads can ruin the brake discs, doubling repair costs and increasing safety risks. Developing a proactive inspection habit saves significant money too.
