When you first get your new brakes installed, there’s one thing that will happen with these new brakes in the first 500 miles:
The brake lining still needs to seat in the surface of the brake rotors.
This is a normal function in a brand new set of brakes. And “seating” will occur naturally with steady driving and fairly careful braking. Meaning, not waiting until the last second to start to brake at every light or stop.
You can definitely apply your brakes fully and completely when your vehicle comes right out of the shop. Just give yourself plenty of time to brake at all stops and lights. Try not to gun or work your brakes really hard during those first 500 miles.
Otherwise, you run the risk of overheating the brake pads. What happens is, they’ll get “glazed” (from overheating). The glaze changes the texture on the pad and can create squeaking in your new brakes.
Did you know brake pads have to be broken in? Most car parts require being broken in before actually living up to their all-star reviews. Brake pads are no different. If you’re wondering how to break in your brake pads, then you’ve come to the right place.
Properly breaking in your new brake rotors and pads is crucial to ensuring maximum, stopping power and longevity. Here are the steps to follow for a successful break-in procedure:
Drive safely and normally for the first 400-500 miles to bed-in the brake pads and rotors.
Gradually allow the brake pads to transfer a layer of friction material to the rotors. This transfer film is crucial because it does most of the work for the brake pads during the braking process.
Try to avoid slamming on the brakes or heavy/aggressive braking during this time, unless it’s to avoid an accident.
There may be some noise, smoke, smell and excessive brake dust during the break in period. This is normal.
Braking performance will greatly improve after this bed-in period.
Following these steps will ensure that your new brakes are properly bedded in for optimal performance and durability. Remember to always prioritize safety while on the road and have your brakes checked regularly by a professional
Breaking in your brake pads is necessary to prevent brake rotor warping. New brake pads are always hard. Therefore, using them casually while they’re brand new may warp your rotors over time. This is completely preventable if you perform the steps mentioned above.
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