I recently had my rear brake shoes changed, first time and my car has 200,000 miles, and my mileage has dropped from 42/mpg to 33/mpg. It doesn't feel like the brakes are dragging but something is going on. I'm also trying to figure out how the hybrid regenerative brake system works. Does the friction from the rear shoes help to recharge the hybrid battery? Thanks, Jay
Jay, Any brake friction, front or rear, costs MPG. Only the front wheels are involved in regenerative braking. JeffD
i had a stuck caliper that took my car from 48 mpg down to 35 mpg. replaced it and all was good again. jack each wheel up and check for drag. thats how I found my stuck caliper.
My old nonhybrid has had repeated problems with rust causing stuck pads. This does reduce MPG, but the more immediate symptom is a very hot brake. Sometimes it can be smelled, sometimes felt as heat radiating off the rotor (or I suppose drum in OPs case). When it gets really bad, smoke may curl up from wheel well. A long ago car had the power booster push rod incorrectly adjusted. This lead to excess brake drag and heating off two brakes. But it was related to ambient temperature, 90+F, apparently causing the brake fluid to expand a bit. I do suggest checking for hot brakes. Beware that they can burn a finger quickly.
