What are the precautions after replacing brake pads?
2 Answers
After installing new brake pads, it is necessary to break them in. The relevant precautions are as follows: 1. Find a place with good road conditions and few vehicles to start the break-in process. Accelerate to 60 km/h, gently apply the brakes, and use moderate braking force to reduce the speed to about 10 km/h; 2. Release the brakes and drive a few kilometers to allow the brake pads and discs to cool slightly, then repeat the above steps at least 10 times; 3. The broken-in brake pads still require several hundred kilometers of driving to achieve optimal performance with the brake discs. During this period, drive carefully to prevent accidents.
When I first changed my brake pads, I paid special attention to the break-in period for the new brakes. For the first 500 kilometers, I drove with extra caution because new brake pads and rotors need time to bed in properly. On my commute, whenever I approached a red light, I would start gently applying the brakes two to three hundred meters in advance to ensure even heat distribution on the pads. Once, a colleague complained about the increased stopping distance with new brakes—turns out he kept applying only half pressure, but new pads actually require more linear pressure. I also made sure to avoid deep puddles, as the new friction coating can become slippery when wet. Over the weekend, I deliberately took a trip to suburban areas with continuous slopes to repeatedly test the braking force, ensuring there were no abnormal noises before feeling at ease. After the break-in period, it's essential to recheck the torque on the bolts—my mechanic always emphasizes this step to prevent loosening.
