Replacing brake pad

[hc167]

how frequently should we change the brake pad for Prius? And if we change the brake pad, the OEM toyota is better or I should get something that is Ceramic from store like tirerack.com?

I have a 05 Prius that I bought it used at 46K miles ( from dealer, they said they changed the pad before selling me the car) and it is now 74K miles already. time for brake pad change?

Brakes Products for Toyota Prius 2005

[SageBrush]

Brake pads for most non-aggressive drivers last will over 100k miles in the Prius. I checked mine at about 50k miles and found almost no wear in the rear, and about 1/8th wear in front.

A more common problem actually is that the brakes pads are used so sparingly that the rotors rust in parts of the country where the roads are salted in the winter. Intentional use of the mechanical brakes is needed to prevent the rust !

So, I suggest checking the pads and not assuming replacement is required.

[hc167]

see, the problem is I do not know how to check.

[hc167]

the reason why I ask such question is I found that my brake performance has reduced. and I physically look at the brake and found that the gap between the disc brake and the caliper is smaller.

[Boo]

From what I've read, the front brake pads should easily last 100,000 miles.

So I'm skeptical about your dealer's claim that he replaced the pads at 46,000 miles.

In any event, it doesn't sound like you need new pads yet. But someone would have to check the existing pads to be sure.

* * * * * * *

Despite what you may read on this forum, the Standard Prius has below average braking. It ranks in the lowly 11th percentile in 60 - 0 mph braking distances for the over 100 current model sedans tested by Consumer Reports.

So when my front pads wear out, I'm going to go for better stopping performance brake pads. I think the Standard Prius needs whatever advantage it might get from pads with better braking ability (I've already replaced my OEM tires with wider and better performing tires).

From what's available at TireRack, this would mean either the Hawk Performance Ceramic pads or the Hawk HPS Street pads.

I believe that apriusfan has put the Hawk Performance Ceramic pads on his Touring Prius (among his other mods).

[hc167]

I did not do a lot of aggressive driving until I moved about half year ago. I moved to an area where the location of my house is one mile uphill. that mean when I go downhill, I will need a lot of braking to control the speed. and I did not shift to "B" position. I still used "D". I guess that is why. by the way, why is the brake pad on prius can last up to 100K? the regen braking capture the energy while you remove your leg from the gas and the car is still moving. not that you step on the brake. Am I wrong on this or I am missing something?

[SageBrush]

hc167,

I drive in mountains too. Just as you describe, I switch to "B" for braking once my battery is filled up. Brake regen starts when you take your foot of the gas pedal, and increases in strenght as you push down on the brakes up to a maximum; any further braking is from the pads. Maximum regen is around 20 kW.

Checking the pads certainly seems like a reasonable place to start if braking performance is degraded, but I'll be surprised if it is the pads. What exactly have you noticed ?

[hc167]

SageBrush:

thanks for your reply. yes, shifting to "B" require much less braking. since prius has a lot of computer control components, is it safe to shift from "D" to "B" while driving? I know for regular transmission, this will easily kill your transmissions. not sure about prius.

If I need to change the brake pad, would you recommend to a ceramic pad (about $30 more, I guess I can afford it).

so you mean when braking, regen braking will capture more energy than not braking but the foot is not on gas pedal?

[qbee42]

On small hills use D. On steep mountain descents use B. If you aren't sure, then you probably don't need B mode. If you are driving the same roads repeatedly, you can tell if you need B mode by monitoring the state of battery charge. If you find all green bars at the end of the descent, then next time use B mode.

With either D or B mode, the Prius uses the brake pads only under 8 mph or in special circumstances, such as a panic stop or when regenerative braking isn't enough. Braking down a normal hill isn't one of them. Your brakes should be good for over 100,000 miles.

From your posts, it sounds like you are not familiar with brake work. Find a good mechanic that you can trust and get his opinion. I wouldn't trust a dealer that told you they replaced the pads as early as they did on your car.

Tom

[jayman]

As far as "brake work" I have to advise any Prius owner to use EXTREME CAUTION especially if they take their car to an independent who does not understand how the braking works

I've attached a couple of photos of the Prius brake schematic under normal and a failure mode. I've also attached the brake bleed procedure

If any "mechanic" tells you he "bled" the brakes on your Prius, punch him, call for a flat bed towtruck, and have your Prius taken to a Toyota dealership. The only way to safely and properly bleed the brakes on a Prius is to use the dealership scantool