Brake pad warning light just came on at 23 k miles

[Jackblack]

Hello all,

Three questions below:

A). My brake pad warning light just came on at 23k miles. I know the warning light means the pads are getting low but does anyone know how much approx life is left once the warning light initially comes on is left ? I think about 4k for normal driving but i have no real guide to be sure of this ?

B). Also car is pre face lift 2014 A6 BITDI black edition with 20" rotors and i probably will not take the car to Audi to get the pads replaced as on eurocarparts can supply a new set by bosch, pagid etc etc for approx £60. Where as Audi I'm sure will be best part of £300. Eurocarparts though tell me there are two different sized pads dependant on my front discs size - which I'm not sure of ?

c). My friend has a garage and he will allow me to work in his workshop use his ramp, jacks axle stands and tools. I've changed pads before on quite a few of my cars and i can't see these being anymore difficult unless there is a special tool for winding the piston back or its just a simple question of pushing the piston back with big swan pliers or a pry while still in situ like i have done before. The only time i had to have a special tool for changing front pads was for a saab 900 turbo 15 years ago that needed a saab tool for winding the piston back.

[shabazmo]

Wow 23k miles! I have done 85k miles and plenty pad left at both front and rear.

[Jackblack]

85 k on the original front pads what you been using to stop the car stegs on the soles of your feet ? ? lol !
Wow 23k miles! I have done 85k miles and plenty pad left at both front and rear.

[Jackblack]

The brake pad warning light is designed to come on when the front brakes wear down to about 25% left on the pads. It is triggered by an insert in the pads that has two wires attached. The wiring and pad is part of a ground loop that starts at the instrument cluster, goes through both brake pads and to ground. Once this path is broken, the brake pad warning light comes on.

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/brakesensor.html

[Jackblack]

Most front Audi brake pads (http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_brake_parts/audi_brake_pads/front_audi_brake_pads.shtml) have wear sensors built right into the brake pad material. If you see the Audi brake warning light illuminated on your dash board instrument cluster, you have approximately 3,000 miles left on your front pads and Audi brake rotors. It's usually less than 3,000 miles if you're hard on the brakes, which most of us are. When you see this light go on Audi brake repair service is in the near future.
The rear Audi brake pads (http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_brake_parts/audi_brake_pads/rear_audi_brake_pads.shtml) don't include wear sensors and thus, won't cause the Audi brake pad warning light to come on. The main indication of worn rear Audi brake rotors is a grinding metal-on-metal sound coming from the rear of the car every time you depress the brake pedal. When the Audi brake pad material has been fully exhausted, contact with the Audi brake rotor will cause this type of grinding sound. You should seek an Audi brake repair service immediately when you hear this grinding noise. Usually these symptoms occur when there is between 40,000 to 80,000 miles on your brake pads and rotors.

Audi Brake Pads - Audi Brake Pad Replacement Information (http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_brake_parts/audi_brake_pads/audi_brake_pads_set.shtml)

[jbmercapple]

Sorry Jackblack but your wrong about the rear pads.
I've got a 2013 BiTdi se and both front and rear pads have sensors.
In fact I had my wheels off recently to check them and my rear pads are warn more than my fronts, so you need to check yours before buying any. I've done 38k miles and the front ones still look like new.
If it's is the rears you will need VCDS to change them, but the fronts can be done like any old fashioned setup. (Although you might need two people to lift the calliper off if yours are the same size as mine!)

Cheers


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[Jackblack]

Thanks Jb :approve:
Sorry Jackblack but your wrong about the rear pads.
I've got a 2013 BiTdi se and both front and rear pads have sensors.
In fact I had my wheels off recently to check them and my rear pads are warn more than my fronts, so you need to check yours before buying any. I've done 38k miles and the front ones still look like new.
If it's is the rears you will need VCDS to change them, but the fronts can be done like any old fashioned setup. (Although you might need two people to lift the calliper off if yours are the same size as mine!)

Cheers


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk