danshady

I changed all 4 sets of brake pads today on my 2013 A6 and noticed that only the left side had wear indicators. It seems odd to me that at least the right front wouldn't also have a wear indicator. Can anyone explain why this is?

BTW - I used Carista's break release tool (for an extra $10) and it worked great. No need for VAG-COM anymore

tenspeed

I can not explain why it is. Perhaps the engineers thought one sensor per axle is sufficient.

SharkNardo

WTH is a "break" pad?

KevinGary

Perhaps English is a second language.

IknowHuhA6

Engineers and Quality assurance people are hired by all manufacturers to ensure regulatory and safety measures were met on our cars.

The advanced engineering systems in our cars with many-many-multiple controllers controlling various responses in our cars were programmed to balance the breaking on a front/rear bias.

If I had to hazard an assumption given my understanding of car ECM programming, the old school method of a brake proportioning valve has been dramatically improved with the addition of the ECM making incredible calculations that improve the car's breaking performance.

Front braking needs to be balanced as it's own system along with rear braking balances separately based on car's weight distribution. So no need to monitor both left and right separately compared to front/rear.

Braking will differ on a front vs mid vs rear engine car. Throw into the mix custom modifications made by the owner of a car and all dynamics are changed.

Just my 2-cents.

snagitseven

In other words, the left and right brake pad pair will wear about the same in the front or rear. Therefore, there's no need to provide sensor redundancy on both left and right pads with added cost and complexity.

Barrels41

So the wear indicators are no longer on the front pads only? They are on the left front and rear brake pads?

Youtube videos show wear sensors on front pads only. They are not of current models though.

Vodka G

is on front and back one on each axle

snagitseven

On left side.

IknowHuhA6

No no no "in other words". That would be putting words in my mouth. Not very higenic. LOL, J/K

Every situation has it's caveats. Whether it's warped rotors causing uneven wear or worn down/seized parts causing caliper float to not operate properly thus wearing irregularly from side-to-side.

But yes Thanks Snagit for pointing out that despite the engineering put into our systems, there is always anomalies. Nothing's perfect after all.

My point was intended to bring up the amazing job engineers have done and perfected that we all sometimes tend to take for granted and overly criticize.. Sometimes it's just criticism based on us being unaware of regulatory restrictions, value-add, budgetary constraints, or even planned obsolescence. I myself have tried to re-engineer so many things over the years thinking I had a better idea, only to learn "uhm... guess these Engineers have a degree and experience that I don't". Oopps.

In addition, the more you add and complicate a system, the more the maintenance cost increases.

I definitely agree and wish that sensors on four corners would be ideal.... but for whatever business decision, we didn't get them. Regardless of that fact.. I love the technology in my Audi that eclipses most other cars out there.

Sounds kind of hypocritical, I know huh? Given I'm always looking to mod my car.