stigsgal

We had the front brake pads of our 1999 RX 300 replaced at Lexus dealership at 80521 miles, now a new dealership is saying we need new front pads at 107400 miles. Is it me or is 26,879 miles seem a short life for front brake pads? Or is this normal for local driving? Thanks!

hypervish

Welcome to Club Lexus!

That is low life. Are you sure that they are actually worn down? They may just be saying that in order to make more money. If you driving is primarily city then it may be possible that they are worn down.

My AutoZone pads only lasted 31k miles, but I expected that considering they are inferior to OEM brake pads. My OEM pads lasted about 60k miles.

artbuc

Should get 2-3x that unless you live in San Fran.

dbui

Well take it to the independent shop and get second opinions, if you know about brake pads check it yourself. Stealer always recommend you to replace it, almost everything. Just a recommendation! you need to know if it needs to be replace or not? Around here we have yearly State inspection. So the inspector will let you know or else you will not pass the State inspection. Dunno about CA?

stigsgal

Thanks, you all have confirmed pretty much what I thought...We have since found an independent shop that specializes in Lexus, Toyota and Honda so next service visit we will take it there and get a second opinion. The "stealer" also recommended that we need a flush of power steering fluid (done 10K ago with power steering repair at independent shop) and a brake fluid flush (done 1 year ago) and a new cabin filter (done 10K ago). So disappointed but what to expect I suppose...Some good some bad, thank goodness for good records and files or we would have been overcharged about another $950! Glad I found the forum, and thanks for posting your brake pad experiences. And no we don't drive in San Fran... Those hills are CRAZY! We are all flat land driving local not city. Thanks All!

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Well, unless you told the dealer that these services had been done recently, they were just quoting the recommended Toyota service intems/intervals. On the brakes, I'd be very surprized if a dealer would tell you to replace them if it wasn't necessary...... I'd get them checked pretty quickly. Thr rest of your braking system is as old as your car, If you have sticking calipers, the pads could have conceivably worn down in 20k

kalali

Just peek through the wheel with a flashlight and visually check to see how much pad is left. Its easy.

Lexmex

I used to run through my pads every 6 months in Mexico, but now they seem to run about 40K or so, maybe more if I learn to drive right.

salimshah

I taught my mother in law to drive and she is gas or break person. I have changed her car's pads twice at low milage .

Back to OPs question ... there are other indicators like MPG or pull to a side if the caliper is hanging.

Salim

Baetke

Aren't brake pads designed to start "squeeking" when they get too worn?

salimshah

There is a squeeler on one of each pair and if some one uses after-market stuff, one may have to transfer it to the new pads.

If pads wear evenly, the squeeler will make noise. The other indication of an OEM pad is the amount of pad dust increases dramatically. If you are not in the habit of topping up the reservoir, you will see it drop low.

Most of the people dont hear the noise ... A/C and music at elevated levels with windows closed

I physically examine the pads and that is the best way. The OEM pads I use have a leading edge slope and once that slope is all gone, it is time to replace the pad. I have yet to have a need to turn my rotors.

Salim