Brake pads wear on hybrid car

eggerb

Am I correct in thinking that on a hybrid car if you press lightly on the brake petal that it's regen braking slowing the car down? (It’s only with harder braking, the disc and brake pads are used?)

I reckon I’ve put more than 60k km on my car since the last brake pad change. I took a look at the pads today and there still seems to be a bit of meat left to wear. I was half expecting to need to replace them soon but maybe not.

Picture of pads below. Maybe I’m mistaken in thinking there’s a decent bit of meat?

It’s a BMW 530E (G30) so I think I have break pad sensors?

Whocare

Pads looks fine

Miscreant

Pads look good. Electrified vehicles are usually easier on brake pads and disks anyway.

I had a hybrid for 8 years and it never needed pads while I owned it. The original pads were still at about 50% when I traded the car in at 10 years old.

BrianD3

Loads of meat, based on that amount of wear after 60k, good for another 100k at least.

Watch out for kwik fit places and garages (esp main dealers) trying to upsell you pads and discs that you don't need.

PS, remember that to check the inner pads properly, you probably need to take the wheels off and/or get the car up on a lift.

eggerb

Thanks everybody.

I didn’t get a chance to look at both sides (or the back axle) .. asked in a tyre place when I changing the two front tyres if I could have a look. I’m going to book it in for a service soon

Good to know there’s a decent bit of wear. I should forget about them until the sensor goes.

I’m very easy on the brakes since I got it. Wasn’t expecting such good wear. 133k km on it now. Bought it with 75k km on it. A family member at the time told me I’d be constantly changing the brakes with such a heavy car. The opposite it seems.

User1998

530e should start regen braking as soon as you let go of the accelerator pedal, without even touching the brake. Or at least it should have that option?

FintanMcluskey

The Rav4 hybrid I drive (from new) with 165,000km is only starting to squeal from the wear indicators now.