Brake pad replacement

pafoss · 05-13-2006, 10:01 AM

Here's a silly question. Has anyone ever had to replace their brake pads? Seems to me like this might be an untouted benefit of the Prius. "You never have to replace the brake pads!" Is this too optimistic? What percentage brake pad wear is common on average over 25k miles? Anyone ever examined this?

seasalsa · 05-13-2006, 10:38 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pafoss @ May 13 2006, 07:01 AM) [snapback]254705[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Here's a silly question. Has anyone ever had to replace their brake pads? Seems to me like this might be an untouted benefit of the Prius. "You never have to replace the brake pads!" Is this too optimistic? What percentage brake pad wear is common on average over 25k miles? Anyone ever examined this?
[/b]

The only brake pad replacement that I have heard of was the Taxi in Vancouver BC and that was because of frequent stops at low speeds.

Also note the lack of brake dust on the front wheels, another untouted benefit.

tochatihu · 05-13-2006, 04:39 PM

There have been a few other reports of replacing brake components; all from climates where salt is applied to the roads in winter I think. Seem to be corrosion-related, and that Prius' friction brakes get so little work.

ml86 · 05-13-2006, 06:35 PM

When I went to a couple of techs regarding my brakes feeling soft, one indicated that the electric motor does so much of the breaking that he hasn't seen a Prius with under 80,000 miles even close to needing new brakes. It seems he had never had to do one period.

kirbinster · 05-13-2006, 06:35 PM

My '02 only has 20,000 miles on it, but the pads look as if they have had zero wear.

ambrothe · 05-13-2006, 06:37 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pafoss @ May 13 2006, 10:01 AM) [snapback]254705[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What percentage brake pad wear is common on average over 25k miles? Anyone ever examined this?
[/b]

My 2005 has 32k miles and when I rotated the tires at 30,000, there was only minimal wear on the front pads.

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 05-13-2006, 08:04 PM

I think we need to worry more about the rotors rusting and falling off before the brake pads need replacement. :P
Ever take a good look at Prii brake rotors? They look rusty if you don't brake hard in your normal course of driving.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-13-2006, 11:39 PM

90% front, 95% rear left at 10,000 miles back in September.

**efusco** · 05-13-2006, 11:56 PM

http://privatenrg.com/#100kBrakePads

scroll down a little to the photos of the brake pads at 8k and 100k miles and read his comments.

hdrygas · 05-14-2006, 12:03 AM

30k miles and my mechanic suggested I should use my breaks once in a while > 95% all around!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ABS brake warning on 2007 Prius leading to brake failure	adk235	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	4	08-05-2008 07:02 PM
Brake pad replacement at 10,000 miles?	janrn	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	21	10-03-2006 08:25 PM
SSC-60C Replacement car provided?	Charles Suitt	Prius Main Forum	12	07-04-2006 09:33 PM
Replacement Horn	jomilt	Prius Modifications	0	07-02-2005 02:39 PM
Brake replacement question	kkister1492	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	19	03-20-2005 05:03 PM

05-13-2006, 10:01 AM	#1
pafoss Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 40 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Here's a silly question. Has anyone ever had to replace their brake pads? Seems to me like this might be an untouted benefit of the Prius. "You never have to replace the brake pads!" Is this too optimistic? What percentage brake pad wear is common on average over 25k miles? Anyone ever examined this?

05-13-2006, 04:39 PM	#3
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,798 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	There have been a few other reports of replacing brake components; all from climates where salt is applied to the roads in winter I think. Seem to be corrosion-related, and that Prius' friction brakes get so little work.

05-13-2006, 06:35 PM	#4
ml86 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 92 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	When I went to a couple of techs regarding my brakes feeling soft, one indicated that the electric motor does so much of the breaking that he hasn't seen a Prius with under 80,000 miles even close to needing new brakes. It seems he had never had to do one period.

05-13-2006, 06:35 PM	#5
kirbinster Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Morris County - New Jersey Posts: 575 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My '02 only has 20,000 miles on it, but the pads look as if they have had zero wear.

05-13-2006, 08:04 PM	#7
Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,012 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 15 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	I think we need to worry more about the rotors rusting and falling off before the brake pads need replacement. :P Ever take a good look at Prii brake rotors? They look rusty if you don't brake hard in your normal course of driving.

05-13-2006, 11:39 PM	#8
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,769 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	90% front, 95% rear left at 10,000 miles back in September.

05-13-2006, 11:56 PM	#9
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,050 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 23	http://privatenrg.com/#100kBrakePads scroll down a little to the photos of the brake pads at 8k and 100k miles and read his comments.

05-14-2006, 12:03 AM	#10
hdrygas Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Olympia Wa Posts: 3,650 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	30k miles and my mechanic suggested I should use my breaks once in a while > 95% all around!