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#1
12-10-2010, 02:23 PM
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How Soon After Brake Pad Warning Light Do I Need to Change Pads?
Hi,
I replaced all four rotors and pads on my 1991 420SEL 30,000 miles ago. The brake pad warning light came on yesterday. How soon do I need to replace the pads? Can I drive for a few more weeks? Also is 30,000 miles normal for pad replacement? Thanks in advance
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1988 420 SEL 1991 420 SEL with 560 motor 1993 Miata 
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#2
12-10-2010, 02:36 PM
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The safest way is to check the thickness of the pads - sorry I don't know the limit for your car.
__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior  Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!
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#3
12-10-2010, 02:43 PM
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30,000 miles sounds about right for pads on a LWB W126....I usually only get around that on mine. Once the warning light is lit solid you don't have all that long....maybe 1500 miles of average driving. I'd still physically check them.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-  '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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#4
12-10-2010, 04:00 PM
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Great. Thanks for your response. The sensor is not on solid yet. I just need a few weeks and a few hundred more miles.
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1988 420 SEL 1991 420 SEL with 560 motor 1993 Miata
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#5
12-10-2010, 04:05 PM
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Dave, it's difficult to say how long or how many miles the brake pads will last before damaging the rotors without knowing your driving habits. It would seem that you do a considerable amount of highway driving ... based on that I would say up to 2,000 miles. Obviously as soon as you replace the brake pads the cycle starts on the new brake pads so it's a good idea to maxmize the wear on the existing brake pads. However, if you're a procrastinator it may be wise to change the brake pads sooner rather than later.
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Fred Hoelzle
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#6
12-10-2010, 08:28 PM
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The big question is what shape are the rotors in? If they are in tolerance for thickness and runout, don't risk ruining them by going metal on metal.
If they are already warped or too thin, then you risk less my pushing the envelope.
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-tp 1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS 1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station 1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition
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#7
12-10-2010, 09:30 PM
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Unfortunately, the brake warning sensor indicator does not always mean worn pads. It could be that the sensor itself is not on properly like what happens to my 123. Although I have ot had it happen for a long time.
But that does not mean you should ignore it. I would at least chk the thickness of the pads.
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the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth... 2007 Honda Accord EX 2007 Honda Accord SE V6 96 C220 97 Explorer - Found Another Home 2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home 85 300D - Found Another Home 84 300D - Found Another Home 80 300TD - Found Another Home Previous cars: 96 Caravan 87 Camry 84 Cressida 82 Vanagon 80 Fiesta 78 Nova Ford Cortina Opel Kadet 68 Kombi Contessa
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