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The final cut of TMC Podcast #34 is available now with topics timestamped. We covered Tesla's rollercoaster prices, Toyota pushing junk science, Mike's new Model 3, Optimizing track mode for snow driving, FSD V11 apparently coming by the end of this week, and more. You can watch and check out the chat replay on YouTube.
How long do rotors and brakes last?
- Thread starter krazyK
- Start date
That's rust on the rotor because the pad isn't making much contact with the rotor. Looks like a session of aggressive brake bedding would help clear that off.
When the rotor is cool, you can touch it, and run your finger over it to make sure whether it's grooved or not. Just looking at it, it looks typical of a brake that isn't getting much use. Rather than something grooving the rotor, it looks like spots where the pad isn't pressing against the rotor leaving a rust strip.
Look up "service mode". Use that to run the brake burnishing mode. It'll walk you thru the steps.
ColoradoMike
Member
This "Could" happen on any vehicle.
Try some AGGRESSIVE Braking for a bit and I think that your issue might be resolved.
Evpowerdan
Member
Regenerative breaking settings removed on 2021+ before someone says he doesn't have this option.
[email protected]
2021 LR Model 3
You can charge to 100% which reduces regen and relies on the friction brakes. Also an emergency stop uses more friction brake since regen doesn't stop quickly enough in an emergency braking scenario.
M3BlueGeorgia
Active Member
Corr: 100K miles, or more.
We are still on our original brake pads (2018 Model Y) and now at 100,484 miles
Ash83
Member
true I just wanted to be realistic
If you do not live by the beach or an area where they use salt for snow then 100K miles for sure if you take care of them.
First, it looks like you may have had some small dirt/gravel or something that got in there and enabled the grooves to get formed. That isn’t uncommon. It’s also not really an impairment to brake function, more an annoyance as it tends to squeak, make grinding sounds, etc… often a series of gravity hard brakes will tend to dislodge anything typical.
If you look at the rotor, there is a very tiny lip on the inside circumference of the rotor which is a bit of a control. WHEN the brakes are cold, in the morning say you can run your finger from that very inside lip to the rotor and feel how much of a drop off there is. From the photo (hard to see) that lip looks very small so I would say that the usable surface of the rotor is NOT reduced much. That is what one would expect from an EV that does a lot of regenerative braking.
If you want to try and smooth it out and if there is no longer the gravel/gunk/dirt on the pads that I mentioned, just turn regen braking OFF or to LOW for a couple of days/weeks depending on driving usage and it will use the pads more and smooth out the small grooves and take off some of that rust (not really an issue).
Assuming the actual rotors are NOT used up or compromised, any good auto shop that does brakes should be able to remove them, TURN them (they put in on a spindle and even out the surface) and then either replace just the pads or do the same with the pads and you should be good to go again. That shouldn’t cost more than about $100 -$150 for that effort.
If you look at the rotor, there is a very tiny lip on the inside circumference of the rotor which is a bit of a control. WHEN the brakes are cold, in the morning say you can run your finger from that very inside lip to the rotor and feel how much of a drop off there is. From the photo (hard to see) that lip looks very small so I would say that the usable surface of the rotor is NOT reduced much. That is what one would expect from an EV that does a lot of regenerative braking.
If you want to try and smooth it out and if there is no longer the gravel/gunk/dirt on the pads that I mentioned, just turn regen braking OFF or to LOW for a couple of days/weeks depending on driving usage and it will use the pads more and smooth out the small grooves and take off some of that rust (not really an issue).
Assuming the actual rotors are NOT used up or compromised, any good auto shop that does brakes should be able to remove them, TURN them (they put in on a spindle and even out the surface) and then either replace just the pads or do the same with the pads and you should be good to go again. That shouldn’t cost more than about $100 -$150 for that effort.
Last edited:
[email protected]
2021 LR Model 3
I have 41k miles on my 2021 3LR. The brakes are hardly worn. They will last the life of the car at the current wear rate.
rotarypower101
Member
Operator64
Member
Carbon Ceramic at $2000 -$5000 but then again if you use your brakes at all they won’t obtain surface rust
Evpowerdan
Member
Foot on the brake pedal once a week solves all the surface rust issues.
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