princealyy

So my brake pad sensor came on at 35000 miles last week.

I just drove the car this morning and the light is gone, anyone have that happen to them? Would you rush off to the dealership or take a bit easy and wait?

My daily commute is 16 miles and the dealership is 5 - 7 miles from both work and home.

Also would you go to an after market (audi specialist) shop?

tenspeed

I would wait. No need to rush to the service department. Use the time to research what type of pads to install and independent shops to perform the brake job. Some service departments tell their customers that rotors should be changed with the pads. Be prepared for sticker shock.

I have always changed my own brakes and I don't change rotors unless they are worn thin or have heavy grooves. Many people have switched over to ceramic pads to reduce brake pad dust on the wheels.

princealyy

The sensor just went off again, so time to take it into the independent audi repair shop in the area... hopefully it will be a good experience.

He said worst case scenario it is $195 for labor plus cost of parts

tenspeed

The wear sensor is a couple of wires inserted in the pad. When the pad becomes thin, the wires hit the rotor and the warning turns on. Go to RockAuto.com to see what the pads, rotors and sensors look like and how much they cost. The shop sells parts and good shop will give you a warranty. Knowing the cost assures that you're not paying too much for the parts. The shop has bills to pay but some charge like every customer should make a boat payment...

Tman007

FYI I'm in a similar situation, and I'm likely switching over to Akebono Euro ceramic pads. My favorite independent shop quoted me 240 parts + 240 labor, for replacing all 4. When I compared online prices (rockauto, tirerack) for those pads, I seem to remember they were around 180.

Worldwidebeagle

I have done the brakes myself on all my Audi's. Always hated OEM pads. Soft, dirty and made for Lexus class drivers that want the car to stop with one toe.

Have used many Akebono pads on audis and never a regret. Not very aggressive but no dust. Lots of places sell them, just google the model number. On my 14 A7, the OEM pads are now ceramic, like Akebono, but still a tad soft. I wonder how Akebono will compare.

I have poor luck reusing audi rotors. All German car makers are notorious for soft iron rotors that imho are unserviceable after 45k, especially fronts. Lots of good rotors out there for half of OEM. If I am replacing pads at 40-50k, I always replace front rotors. No extra labor and $200 for a pair. Two places never to skimp: brakes and tires.

ETAzero

Doesn't Audi use Hawk pads now?

diddlyv

With about 24 k on my 2012 should have almost a year before I have to worry about brakes. What is the hot tip for great stopping and decent wear without so much dust. The factory pads are as dirty as my 2004 350z brakes were.

ETAzero

Might have to just buckle down and replace the pads. However, I have noticed breaking early doesn't make my wheels as dirty than breaking late.