I just bought a new set of pads and rotors for my car, and I was a bit shocked by the instructions on the box for breaking them in.

The folks who made the pads want me to go out and do 5 aggressive braking maneuvers from 40 to 10 mph without stopping....then follow that with 5 more from 35 - 5 mph.  I am never supposed to come to a complete stop as they don't want the hot discs or pads to come into contact while stopped.  They cautioned that this should be done in an area where there is no traffic, and that the brakes will be extremely hot and will smell.....then you are supposed to drive for 5 minutes without stopping to allow the brakes to cool.  The reason that you are not supposed to stop is that the hot rotor could cause the pad to deposit more material on the rotor where it touches when you stop, and this can cause uneven braking/pulsing.
https://www.powerstop.com/brake-pad-break-in-procedure/


While I have heard folks tell me that my brakes need to wear in a bit before they are used aggressively in a panic stop....or should not be driven down Jellico Mountain with a trailer - I have never heard of such an aggressive procedure on my daily driver economy car.  I remember being told that the pads need to be heated up to get the solvents out and get them ready for use - but for the last 20 years I have just installed the new parts and driven just a bit gentler than normal until I can hear the "scuffing" noise of the new parts go away and can see the new or resurfaced discs are getting smooth.....then drive normally until they are all worn out and ready for new pads.

So.....I decided to use "GOOGLE" and see what the net had to offer on the subject.  Below is my "new belief" about brakes.......I will just let them wear in on a street car - aggressively break them in on your track car. (I really don't see me ever having a track car or motorcycle - the morning commute can be thrilling enough at this point in my life).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De8GMjDn1q4

I have never bought a new car that came with instructions on how to bed in the brakes, and the new cars come with the machining marks still on the rotors - so I am reasonably sure that the new cars have never received any "brake break in" from the factory.

antmanbee wrote on 05/13/19 at 04:30:49:


Yep....I am amazed how many listings on Craigs list show the car/motorcycle/truck has new "breaks".

I have been thinking I should right a song or poem about a Whiskey Still that has not been used for a while........the title will be "THE STILL STILL STILL"(adverb, verb,noun) to showcase the 3 meanings of the word.

adverb - up to and including the present or the time mentioned; even now (or then) as formerly.

verb - make or become still; quieten.

noun - apparatus used in distillation comprising either the chamber in which the vaporization is carried out or the entire equipment

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/13/19 at 07:31:43:


I am just going to drive it in a sane/normal way.....it has always worked in the past.  The brakes on the Vibe worked really well....I got 100,000 miles on the rotors before I had them turned the first time - now they have another 60,000 miles (160,000 total) and they are starting to pulse.  I decided to replace the rotors this time rather than getting them turned again....the vented area has big flakes of rust after surviving 13 years of salt covered winter roads.

This Vibe has been a great car, and I plan on driving it another 100,000 miles (or until my life style changes and I buy a big RV and live on the road with a motorcycle trailer in tow)!

This Vibe has been a great car...

I didn't want to let go of ours, but the two votes cast were weighted somewhat  unevenly and I lost...
Solid little car, dependable as heck.

<shrug/> That's what they are made for.  If they can't take a little abuse they shouldn't be on your vehicle in the first place!  LOL

ohiomoto wrote on 05/13/19 at 09:37:30:


The only reason I don't want to use their aggressive method - is the large amount of heat that will be created.  Both the machined disc and new pads have a very rough surface, and their recommended "break in" process will create a far more heat than the brakes will ever be subject to in my normal driving.  The wheels bearings are sealed and have never been replaced - I would rather not heat them up more than necessary.  The calipers are original and have been taken apart once for cleaning and lubing....and changing the break fluid.

Once they have been run around for a while and the rough surfaces are smooth....I won't feel bad about using them in whatever way the traffic and roads require.