Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: Middle England!
Posts: 810
Brake Pad Warning Light - How low can I go?!
OK - so driving in to work today and the orange brake warning light came on and a "brake pads low" message popped up.
The car is booked in for a 30,000 mile service, but not for another 10 days. Is it still OK to drive, or am I about to run right out of pads and start scoring the discs?
Does anyone know how far through the pads the warning comes on?
8th Mar 2006 12:07 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26701
You should be ok, just take it easy on the brakes. There should still be 2 or 3 mm of pad left.
8th Mar 2006 12:24 pm
Calcul@tor
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: Middle England!
Posts: 810
Thanks. Do you know how thick they are to start?
Then I can work out how far I should be able to go! 2/(x-2) x 30,000 or so!
8th Mar 2006 12:30 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10438
You should be ok I had a similar situation and continued for a few days until the car was serviced, (as long as you are not doing high miles). Be prepared for the annoying beep every time you apply the brakes.In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
8th Mar 2006 12:30 pm
Calcul@tor
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: Middle England!
Posts: 810
AndrewS wrote:
as long as you are not doing high miles
I'll probably do about 750 between now and when it's booked in - but about half are motorway, so not too much braking!
Had mine come on last Wednesday, dealer couldn't get me in until Tuesday. I reckon I put on about 175 miles in between. Rotors were fine, but I had burned through the "brake pad warning sensors" (2 mm left on the pads). Replacing the front and rear brake pads & sensors came to US$653. The sensors added about $80. And, Yes, the warning chime everytime you brake will drive you mad.2005 LR3 HSE
1998 Disco (sold)
8th Mar 2006 5:43 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
You're gonna have to watch it if you've got an Auto - you've got no chance to use engine braking to help...
I personally wouldn't be happy with having to another 750 miles before changing, but as you suggest, it is dependant on how much is motorway driving (assuming its not the M25 or the M6 in Birmingham)Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
You're gonna have to watch it if you've got an Auto - you've got no chance to use engine braking to help...
Yes you have - that's what command shift is for. Having been a manual driver all my life, I can't quite kick the habit and always find myself using command shift on more serious hills.
8th Mar 2006 6:11 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Guy wrote:
qzdcg8 wrote:
You're gonna have to watch it if you've got an Auto - you've got no chance to use engine braking to help...
Yes you have - that's what command shift is for. Having been a manual driver all my life, I can't quite kick the habit and always find myself using command shift on more serious hills.
I'll give you that one, but won't the box change anyway if you push it too far out of its comfort zone?Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
Yes, the box will auto change in command shift, but you have to be red lining it to make it happen and I haven't managed to make it do it yet, so it's really only a safety feature.
8th Mar 2006 6:36 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10438
Just take it easy and drive accordingly, you can use the auto box in manual if you want, it will slow you down. If your not happy leaving it till the planned service date ask if you can bring it forward.In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
8th Mar 2006 8:52 pm
Calcul@tor
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: Middle England!
Posts: 810
roverdawg wrote:
.....but I had burned through the "brake pad warning sensors" (2 mm left on the pads). Replacing the front and rear brake pads & sensors came to US$653. The sensors added about $80.
.....but I had burned through the "brake pad warning sensors" (2 mm left on the pads). Replacing the front and rear brake pads & sensors came to US$653. The sensors added about $80.
Ouch - not cheap!
I suppose I'm lucky that rotors were okay! I've heard rumors of $1000 for LR3 brake jobs.2005 LR3 HSE
1998 Disco (sold)
9th Mar 2006 1:12 am
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
37,600 ish and still on the factory fit set... do I not slow down or am I the only one that does not use just their brakes to slow down ?
37,600 ish and still on the factory fit set... do I not slow down or am I the only one that does not use just their brakes to slow down ?
-s
Just replaced mine at 20,500 miles BUT I live on top of a very steep hill (about 600 ft in elevation). I get it going both ways: decreased fuel economy to get up the and worn-out brake pads to get down. Not much chance to use compression or command shift techniques due to lots of other cars directly in front and behind.2005 LR3 HSE
1998 Disco (sold)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
| 08MY Discovery 3 (history) 
and worn-out brake pads to get down. Not much chance to use compression or command shift techniques due to lots of other cars directly in front and behind.
