Noisey brakes

Hi Malcolm, and welcome to PC. The most common cause of noise from the Prius brakes is light rust on the discs mainly when the discs are cold and damp (not unusual in our climate). Try braking from no more than 50 mph in neutral a few times to clean the discs up. Using neutral forces the car to use the disc brakes not regen braking. The back discs are often the real culprits as they do very little work. A good idea is to come down an incline (plenty in your area) in neutral braking steadily at least once a week.

In normal use the disc brakes are only used below 7 mph so you can see why they go rusty, the advantage is the pads last for up to 200,000 miles.

Do not use the parking brake to try to clean up the rear discs as this has it's own set of brake shoes inside a small drum inside the discs.

 

When you get used to the car you will find "providing your not doing all short runs" you will get up to about 55mpg over the winter but as the whether warms up this will rise to in the region of 60/65. Blow your tyres up to 38/36 or higher if you do not mind a slightly rougher ride and block the front grill for the winter. Both these actions will improve fuel consumption.

 

I have just reread your post. If you intend taking out the pads to inspect the shims make sure you disconnect the 12 volt battery before you start.

This is very important as the brake hydraulic pump can start "with or without the fob in the ignition" and eject the caliper pistons.

Do not open any bleed valves as the brakes are very difficult to bleed and are designed with back pressure in the system if this is released the car will through brake fault codes.

A little copper slip on the shims helps reduce brake squeal.

 

i just saw ed chyna on wheeler dealers put copper grease on the back of the brake pads on a jag to prevent squealing.

 

Check that the dust shield behind the disc is not bent and touching the disc, but if I were you I would return the car to the dealers and get them to sort it as this is obviously repeatable and should be corrected by them.

 

I do this as well. Not only does it reduce brake noise, but it also aids in transferring heat away from the brake pad.

 

had same prob with my 2009... Cu grease helped so far but heard same squeal twice after 2 weeks
--- heard same noise but went away within a few seconds. hope that's not happening again cauz it's a shameful prius running supposedly quietly

 

Great outcome, but do get into the habit of using the brakes in neutral occasionally to keep the discs clean, but keep it below 50 mph when you do this. I know as a professional driver you would not normally do this.

Do not bother about your mates "they're jealous" just keep mentioning how much the road tax is that will soon get them quiet.

Your fuel consumption will improve as the weather gets warmer, I am now getting low 60's and looking forward to mid 60's+ in a few weeks.

John (Britprius)