brew99

I am pleasantly surprised by the lack of brake dust on my new Q5 compared to my old one. Just past the 3,000 km mark and even without a wash in the last few weeks there is no real brake dust to be seen. Am I imagining this or are others experiencing the same?

cakasky

Great news! I hate the brake dust on my '10 Q5. Looking forward to this, but as an added measure my plans are a Ceramic Clear Coat on the Wheels for that extra keep the brake dust away policy.

kpziegler

You're not imagining it. After seven weeks or so of driving, my new Q5's wheels have not accumulated any brake dust either. In the same time, the wheels on my previous Q5 and the X3 that came before that would have been caked with brake dust.

mgiannetto

I wonder if they have moved to Akebono Euro pads?

I believe MB did this some time ago - went to low dust pads.

FWIW, I have always swapped OEM pads for the Akebono Euro pads. You can drive for weeks and see hardly any dust. Would be great if Audi is doing that now.

agarcnyc

I knew I wasn't imagining this... My wheels still look shiny and new. I love it!

auntrout

You guys are lucky. My 2017 Q5 had brake dust a week after I drove it off the dealer lot; had less than a 100 miles on it at the time. I'll need to check out those Akebono Euro pads when I have to replace my brake pads.

uberwgn

They did a deal with Brembo on the lower output vehicles. I think '14 was the first year for the USA.

larrylotus

Same here, great news !

mgiannetto

So do I read this as the '18 SQ5 does not have low dust pads?

Dino757

When I replaced the pads on my '14, the new Audi pads don't have nearly the dust of the originals. A very pleasant surprise. If you use the Armor All Wheel protectant, you'll get a month before you have to clean even the dirtiest brakes. Mine were filthy after 300 miles when i first got my car. The wheel protectant makes it a month or more without washing and you'll be able to see exactly where you missed.