Breaking in your brake pads (especially when replacing rotors) is an important maintenance procedure to ensure their longevity and intended function without side effects. While this procedure is fairly simple to perform, geographic conditions may challenge the process. While the idea of bedding or breaking in brake pads requires not coming to a complete stop until the pads and rotors have reached optimum operating temperature, this can be hard to do for repair stations or at-home mechanics who live in cities.
Instructions
- 1
Test drive the vehicle on a low-traffic highway without bringing the vehicle to a complete stop.
2Bring the vehicle up to 60 mph (no more or you can overheat the brakes) and then brake hard to slow the vehicle down to about 10 to 15 mph.
3Speed back up to 60 mph and brake hard again without stopping the vehicle or triggering the ABS brakes (if equipped).
4Repeat this procedure several times (eight to 10) to bring the rotors and pads up to optimum braking temperature. Coming to a complete stop before breaking the pads in will imprint their contact on the rotor.
5Continue to drive at 60 mph for about five minutes after slowing down several times. This will cool the braking system.
6Bring the vehicle back to the origin of its brake replacement and then visually inspect the rotors. A dark blue hue should be prominent if you have successfully broken in the pads. Applying the brake pads and coming to a complete stop before the break-in period will leave an imprint of the pad's surface on the plate of the rotor.
7Give the pads and rotors at least 100 miles of normal braking without panic stopping or locking up the brakes.
