[Rick328]

Lately I've got a small vibration coming from the rear wheels when braking from higher than 40mph. I'm around 25% or less brake pads in the rear since last Spring (last time in the shop). IIRC our cars have a 2 stages sensor for the pads and I've already triggered the rear brakes 1st stage a couple months ago (4000 miles remaining). Last time it was in the shop, my tech told me about the rear pads that might be due soon, but I wanted to wait until the OBC tell me so to maximize pads life. Currently at 65k on factory discs/pads.

Anyone had similar experience? Can the pads be shot before triggering the sensor 2nd stage?

Thanks

[Youds]

Definitely. Keep in mind the sensor is only on one side on the back and one side on the front.

[SpartaEvolution]

I may be biased because we sell the stuff, but personally speaking, brakes aren't the kind of thing you want to leave to chance, especially if you've already been warned by the sensors that the pads on their last legs. Brake's are a wear item. Take this vibration as a third warning that you have warn through yours.

Think of it this way: Let's say a full brake job costs you $1000 in parts and labor, and they net you another 65k miles, that comes comes to ~$15 per 1000 miles. If you can push your pads another 3k miles to the absolute edge of their lifespan, but to do so you run the risk of putting yourself, a careless pedestrian, or at the very least your insurance premium in danger, is it really worth saving an extra 40 or 50 bucks?

Replace the brakes forget about them for another 60k miles.

[Rick328]

So true, I won't take any chance and have them replaced asap. Thanks guys!

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by Rick328

So true, I won't take any chance and have them replaced asap. Thanks guys!

The first stage is purely based on the estimated life of the pad.
The computer calculates how much pad is left based on driving patterns, etc.
Yellow on the dash means the car "thinks" you need pads.
Red on the dash means the physical sensor has been triggered and the pads are at the end f their useful life.

I have swapped pads and had the yellow sensor trigger just because the car thought it was time.

The only way to make it go away is with new sensors.