Regen Braking should save the mechanical brakes

Get a second opinion.

At some places, the need for brake and other work can a function of the shop owner's or service writer's need to make the next boat payment or pay the kid's college tuition.

 

Also ... Doesn't take too much effort to pop a wheel off and look for yourself.

 

I have been able to get up to 60k miles on a non-hybrid car on the rear pads. Front usually started needing replacing after 30k. On my new first hybrid car (which next month will be my first year), I have yet to see significant wear at 10k.

 

I guess we should get some reference non-hybrid figures from the OP too, for a basic idea how hard a braking environment his cars face.

My household's experiences is roughly 100k miles on the front brake pads of a new car, with my spouse's car slightly beating my two that have been kept to a similar age. It is probably not reasonable to expect a driver to get more than twice as many miles on Prius pads as on a non-hybrid in the same service (same driver style and driving environment and use).

 

I don't anticipate ever needing to replace the pads. I'll go over 100k on a normal (manual) car. The brake pads on my Prius are mostly used to slow the car from 7 MPH to 0. Seldom do I use the brakes at higher speed.

 

there have been reports of rust in the rear mechanism causing early brake wear on gen 3's. but if that were the case, the tech should have also told you that the slide pins need to be removed, cleaned and lubed.
also, what does 'the rear brakes need to be replaced' mean? pads? discs? calipers? other?

mine look brand new at 42k, so, i would want to see the evidence before authorizing repairs. all the best ken!

 

I don't know what is normal but I've replaced the front brakes on 2 of my regular cars at around 100k miles. I've never replaced the rear brakes on any car I've ever owned out to 200k miles. My PiP has 110k miles and I don't think I'll ever have to replace the front or rear brakes given given the thickness still remaining on the pads.

How much more information do you need on regen braking? If the left meter is full on the HSI you're using friction brakes. If the meter is less, you're in regen. It doesn't take much to get a full bar. But with practice you know how early to brake to keep in regen.

 

agreed. no salt in cali. that's why it's usually the issue. things rust, bind up, operate poorly, cause premature wear.
the design of the rear brakes w/emergency brake makes it more susceptible than front. also, snow and road salt get thrown up there from the front wheels.

 

As I understand it, road salt is not permitted anywhere in California, including the Sierra Mountains, which is really the only part of California where its use would make sense. I think it is an environment issue, not wanting to get the salt in the soil or runoff. If sand and snow tires/chains are not sufficient, they close the road.

 

we salt until the cows come home. and then salt some more. wouldn't want anyone to have to slow down in an inch of snow.

the ocean called, they're running out of salt.

 

Mine had new rear pads and calipers on it when I got it with 34k miles, but it came from a place where they salt the roads a lot. The discs don't look great (uneven wear, rust near the centre) but hopefully it will sort itself out - I guess that will take a long time considering their usage though...

 

Strange that rear drums have a bit of bad rap, yet seem to get the job done and last like crazy. I guess you loose a bit of braking power. They are a bear to replace, at least if you don't have much experience, and the proper tools.

 

I have 106K miles on my 2012 PiP and no signs of needing to replace front or rear brakes anytime in the near or distant future. The 2005 Prius went 150K miles before needing front brakes, and the rear brakes were never done when I owned it. It's now got over 220K miles on it and I don't believe my son has had to do the rear brakes on it.

 

We're neck and neck devprius. I got 103k on my 2012 PiP and 132k on the 2005. I'm not going to catch you on the 2005 but maybe on the PiP. Never replaced the brakes on either vehicle as far as I know.

 

it's good to be californian.

 

Brake maintenance shouldn't begin and end with pad replacement; it's mostly inspection, measurement and relube. Yearly or bi-yearly, depending on your usage.

It's like going to the dentist for scaling and a look-see, no news is good news.

Not sure I'm making any converts here...

 

A valiant effort though. A horse brought to water will eventually drink....


iPhone ?

 

I dont disagree, but if we're using analogies ... After a quick look see ... Maybe let sleeping dogs lie

 

After having sleeping dogs wake up and bite me at very inconvenient times, on two past cars, I need to take Mendel's suggestion and start doing the preventative brake maintenance. Especially with my region's newfound love of winter salt.