Changing the Brake Pads

[jonathonp]

I have a 2004 Prius with 78k miles on it. Bought it used and seemed to be fine. Took it to have the tires rotated and balanced, change oil, and alignment. They told me my front brake pads needed to be replaced and that that the rotors needed to be replaced. Does this happen on a Prius with 78k? According to the previous posts, the brake pads are rarely replaced on them and should last a long time.

[qbee42]

It's possible. Brake wear is a function of miles, driving style, conditions, and time. Brakes rust away with time even if not used.

Tom

[jonathonp]

Thanks. they want to use ceramic pads. the forums I've seen say say stay away from them because of squeaks, and use OEM pads. Is that true or just a rare case?

[BAllanJ]

What I wouldn't worry about is paying extra for ones that wear more slowly... whichever ones you put in will last longer than the car has left.

[qbee42]

Use the OEM pads.

Tom

[jayman]

Originally Posted by jonathonp

They told me my front brake pads needed to be replaced and that that the rotors needed to be replaced.

Who is "they?"

If this is an independent shop, beware that the only way to bleed Prius brakes is with the dealership scantool

Problem with rear brakes...No pressure when bleeding

Otherwise, you will lose your brakes

[didnotwantaprius]

well i did it i changed my front break pads and made the tragic error of bleeding the lines the old fashoned way by placeing my check valve in fluid and pumping new fluid through lines, now i've got a christmas tree on my dashboard.
I hate to say it but car is going to dealer i hope it is not broken.

if any one has done this let me know thanks
didnotwantaprious

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by didnotwantaprius

well i did it i changed my front break pads and made the tragic error of bleeding the lines the old fashoned way by placeing my check valve in fluid and pumping new fluid through lines, now i've got a christmas tree on my dashboard.
I hate to say it but car is going to dealer i hope it is not broken.

if any one has done this let me know thanks
didnotwantaprious

how in the world would you have needed new pads on a 2008 already

[jayman]

Originally Posted by didnotwantaprius

now i've got a christmas tree on my dashboard.

Nothing is permanently broken, but if you go to the post I linked, and download that section from the factory shop manual, you will learn that the Prius brakes can NOT be bled the old fashioned way

At the dealership, they will use their Panasonic Toughbook scantool to run the car through the proper brake bleed procedure. The brakes should be fine afterwards

Do not attempt to drive the car, have it towed. You won't have any brakes

[uart]

Originally Posted by didnotwantaprius

well i did it i changed my front break pads and made the tragic error of bleeding the lines the old fashoned way by placeing my check valve in fluid and pumping new fluid through lines, now i've got a christmas tree on my dashboard.
I hate to say it but car is going to dealer i hope it is not broken.

if any one has done this let me know thanks
didnotwantaprious

You've probably already got this fixed, but anyway I saw this in another thread where someone posted a fairly simple procedure for clearing those error codes.

See : CLEAR DTC (When not Using Intelligent Tester)