[N8N]

Got another light today... rear brake pads. Why does the light come on when there's tons of meat left on the pads? Are there any sensors available that will let me drive until the pads are actually worn out without having my dash lit up like a Christmas tree? I swear I've put more brakes on this car than all the other vehicles I've owned put together. It's also the only one with wear sensors...

[Bimmer_Bro]

Originally Posted by N8N

Got another light today... rear brake pads. Why does the light come on when there's tons of meat left on the pads? Are there any sensors available that will let me drive until the pads are actually worn out without having my dash lit up like a Christmas tree? I swear I've put more brakes on this car than all the other vehicles I've owned put together. It's also the only one with wear sensors...

The sensors are stupid. They come on when there is like 40% left. If you're a car guy like me, it's better to physically look at them during an oil change or a tire swap.

Cut the sensor off and twist the two peices of wires together to complete the circuit. You can use electrical tape or something to keep them protected. This will keep the light from ever coming on again. Do this for the front and rear passanger side. Just wait till they squeal, shake, or when you notice they are low.

[Phil325i]

Agreed. However, if you have cruise control it will cause excessive rear brake pad wear because the brakes cut in to maintain speed when you're going downhill...

[Jaronbwall]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Bro

The sensors are stupid. They come on when there is like 40% left. If you're a car guy like me, it's better to physically look at them during an oil change or a tire swap.

Cut the sensor off and twist the two peices of wires together to complete the circuit. You can use electrical tape or something to keep them protected. This will keep the light from ever coming on again. Do this for the front and rear passanger side. Just wait till they squeal, shake, or when you notice they are low.

This 100%. My brake sensor was going off, replaced the pads (didn't need too), and then the damn thing busted in half trying to install it again. I spliced the wires and tucked behind the brakes. Haven't had an issue since.

[Bimmer_Bro]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Agreed. However, if you have cruise control it will cause excessive rear brake pad wear because the brakes cut in to maintain speed when you're going downhill...

Does all cruise control do this or only
If you have the hill decent on?
Either way this has nothing to do with the brake pad wear sensor wire.

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Bro

Does all cruise control do this or only
If you have the hill decent on?
Either way this has nothing to do with the brake pad wear sensor wire.

Cruise on my BMW maintains the correct speed even going downhill. Which means of course, the brakes have to be applied. I only mentioned this because the OP implied that his pads seemed to wear out quickly...

[Bimmer_Bro]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Cruise on my BMW maintains the correct speed even going downhill. Which means of course, the brakes have to be applied. I only mentioned this because the OP implied that his pads seemed to wear out quickly...

Oh Gotcha! I think he meant the sensor light comes on fast cuz they get activated at 40% which is kinda silly.

[N8N]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Agreed. However, if you have cruise control it will cause excessive rear brake pad wear because the brakes cut in to maintain speed when you're going downhill...

I commute from basically DC to Baltimore (actually College Park to BWI), I'm not even sure my cruise control works :P

[N8N]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Cruise on my BMW maintains the correct speed even going downhill. Which means of course, the brakes have to be applied. I only mentioned this because the OP implied that his pads seemed to wear out quickly...

But they don't. I can see right through the wheels that I have almost half my pads left, unless a slider is hung up and one of the inside pads is excessively worn, but I doubt it. I replaced them all ~4 years ago and drove the car very infrequently since due to the pandemic and then also having parked it for ~1 year due to the rear diff going out. Just started driving it regularly within the last month or so because my other vehicles are being difficult.

[crashoverride]

The brake sensor is quite crude and fairly accurate. It's a one-time use part as it's like a beer can that when crushed completes an electrical circuit to indicate on the dash.


These are built as luxury cars, not cars that you ignore the squealing brakes till stopping becomes a hope and prayer event

[Jaronbwall]

crashoverride You wouldn't believe see the trash pile vehicles driving on the streets in Indianapolis.
I've seen bald tires, bald spare tires, NO LIGHTS at all, cars driving on three wheels, side impact damage, plastic windows, it's next level over here.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by crashoverride

The brake sensor is quite crude and fairly accurate. It's a one-time use part as it's like a beer can that when crushed completes an electrical circuit to indicate on the dash.


These are built as luxury cars, not cars that you ignore the squealing brakes till stopping becomes a hope and prayer event

Actually no! It is not accurate and when crashed the electrical circuit is incomplete thus the light on the dash. This happens with about half life left on the pads as others have stated above. To complete the electricle ciruit peple connect the two wires of the sensors. Also, nothing luxury about it.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by crashoverride

These are built as luxury cars, not cars that you ignore the squealing brakes till stopping becomes a hope and prayer event

Which cars do you drive with worn out brakes??