Brake pad warning light

[NickZ]

Quick question - does the Polo GTI have a brake pad warning light? Reason I ask is that the dealer has just rung me tell me I only have 2mm left on my pads. I am surprised this is the case considering there was no warning light and I only have done 30000km (says something about my driving!)

Any comments would be appreciated

[hkogti]

You driving is good!

I worn out my front pads in my previous car with 12000km!!

[NickZ]

You driving is good!

I worn out my front pads in my previous car with 12000km!!

OK that makes me feel slightly better!!!

[RhysQ]

yeah our brakes have pad sensors so i'd let the dealer know that your sensors haven't gone off... and when they do, you'll be changing your brakes... ELSEWHERE

I'm quite the spirited driver and my car has done 42,000 km's. My mech says I still have about 10,000 kms on the factory pads before the sensor triggers. The GTI's have a harder compound pad to the standard models to accommodate for 'enthusiastic driving', so there is no way (unless you track your car a bit) that the pads would be gone in 30,000 kms. Tell the dealer to stop pulling your leg.

As for a brake change, get some QFM (local product) or EBC Greenstuff pads on next. Don't let the dealer sting you through the nose for OEM replacement pads.

[NickZ]

Thanks mate, I was sure they did but thought maybe it was only on the early models. I have told the dealer I will have a 'think about it' as I was sure we had one and had some suspicions. I will get it investigated by someone independent in the meantime just to be sure.

My car has never been tracked, and whilst I can be spirited in my driving sometimes, I also spend a fair bit of time driving normally and I use the gears to reduce my speed as much as possible rather than stamping on the brakes constantly. So hearing this did surprise me.

Regardless, I definitely want to upgrade the pads (whether now or later) - sorry if this is a dumb question as I am a bit of a noob when it comes to brakes, but can I get away with changing the pads only? What's the advantage of changing the rotors or other parts as well?

[RhysQ]

sorry if this is a dumb question as I am a bit of a noob when it comes to brakes, but can I get away with changing the pads only? What's the advantage of changing the rotors or other parts as well?

Not a dumb question at all. But yes, you can certainly just upgrade the pads. I'll be doing my just my pads shortly, closely followed by braided brake lines. The advantage of aftermarket upgrade sports pads like the ones i mentioned before is they usually last longer and have a larger temperature range, so at high temps they still are at peak performance. This major positive though (for me anyway), is they have significantly less brake dust, meaning your wheels will stay cleaner for longer.

Our front rotors are large enough for what we use them for, even our spirited local driving. You would only need to upgrade your rotors if you were doing a bit of track work. RDA slotted and/or drilled rotors are designed to stay cooler for longer and have less rotor wear. Not something i'm looking at in the near future. I'd much rather braid my lines, i think the advantages in that outweigh larger rotors.

[Piotr]

I also spend a fair bit of time driving normally and I use the gears to reduce my speed as much as possible rather than stamping on the brakes constantly.

it's better to use your brakes to reduce speed as it's cheaper to replace your pads than gearbox bearings.

[RhysQ]

it's better to use your brakes to reduce speed as it's cheaper to replace your pads than gearbox bearings.

The way I look at it. Gearbox's last 10+ years, brakes last ~3. I won't have the car when the clutch wears out, but may have it when the brakes do.... so I gear brake to increase the life of my brakes. If my gearbox/clutch goes, i'll learn a lesson, but probably won't stop doing it.

Please keep in mind i'm not going 80km/h and throwing it into 1st gear to slow down, nor do I do it in heavy traffic showing no brake lights.

[mikepologti]

i do the same, generally i only use my gears as more of an "assist" to slow down then anything. i did this on my previous car and it lasted 13 years before i traded it in for my polo.

[gregozedobe]

I have told the dealer I will have a 'think about it' as I was sure we had one and had some suspicions. I will get it investigated by someone independent in the meantime just to be sure.

It is definitely worth having all your pads looked at (properly) to see if they are worn out - after all, it is possible your dealer is telling you the truth and they do need replacing.

IIRC on some VAG vehicles they only have sensors on 1 wheel on each axle, so if there is uneven wear, the other pads (with the sensors) may still have plenty of meat left on them.

[Blitzen]

IIRC on some VAG vehicles they only have sensors on 1 wheel on each axle, so if there is uneven wear, the other pads (with the sensors) may still have plenty of meat left on them.

In that case I would be looking at the Brakes, and you would change the pads anyway. If the above case was happening, you may have a sticking piston, or guides, and they may have to be rebuilt.

[NickZ]

Thanks for the responses fellas. Had a chat to the dealer this afternoon - he explained that when the light comes on depends on how the sensor has been installed on the car. Some go off when there is 6-7mm of pad left (as I have read on the car), others go off when there is only 1-2mm.

I have 3mm left - overall I was happy with the service and my gut feel is they are telling the truth - if they are not I will find out soon enough as I will get them replaced, probably with EBC greenstuffs.

In terms of using the gears, my old car was 13 years old and both me and my sister who drove the car engine braked and the gearbox was perfect. As mentioned, I don't trash the gearbox to do it, but try to use it especially if I am going down a hill at speed or coming to a gradual stop.

Now, who can recommend suppliers / installers in Sydney?

[Blitzen]

Now, who can recommend suppliers / installers in Sydney?

Depending where you are, I would look at Penrith Clutch and Brake...They gave me a good quote on a Clutch job, so maybe worth a look see.
Check out Auto Barn for pads...I got a good price through them for EBC Greens and RDA Slotted rotors. I would do the work myself, but if you are not keen, thats fair enough.

[NickZ]

I would do the work myself, but if you are not keen, thats fair enough.

I know its not the toughest job - but if I am not confident about doing something I would rather get someone else to do it. Whilst I can do an oil and filter change and other basic maintenance, brakes is something I would rather leave to an expert because if I did it, I would be worried I did something wrong and end up in the back of someone cos my brakes failed!!!

Thanks for the tips anyway.

[Blitzen]

Hope it works out well and a bit cheaper for you...I'm a mechanic, so I am used to working on brakes, but before that, I wasn't keen on working on brakes for the same reason, so I know where you are coming from.

Ryan