Bedding-In Brake Pads

When new brake pads are installed, they should be "bedded-in". Bedding-in brake pads is a process of breaking them in before severe use, similar to the way an engine or set of gears must be broken in.

To perform the “break-in”, follow the steps listed below:

Step 1: Make 10 stops from 30 mph (50 kph) down to about 10 mph (15 kph) using moderate braking pressure and allowing approximately 30 seconds between stops for cooling. Do not drag your pads during these stops. After the 10th stop, allow 15 minutes for your braking system to cool down.

Step 2: Make 5 consecutive stops from 50 mph (80 kph) down to 10 mph (15 kph). After the 5th stop, allow your braking system to cool for approximately 30 minutes.

This completes the “break-in” of the pads to the rotor surface. Full seating of new brake pads normally occurs within 1000 miles.

Wear Limit

The brakes effectiveness can be limited by worn components. If pads or rotors are worn excessively, or if any seal, tube, hose, bracket, or fitting is damaged, worn, or leaking, a reduction in performance, or worse, brake failure, can result. The likelihood of reaching the wear limit can be reduced by using different (higher quality) pads and/or rotors, or increasing brake cooling. Good inspection and maintenance practices can prevent reaching the wear limit.