How to bed in new brake pads
Monday 24th June 2024
Brake pads play an essential role in your car’s braking system. The pads enable you to stop safely, preventing the likelihood of accidents occurring while driving. Formula One Autocentres looks at how to bed in new brake pads on your car.
Why should you bed in new brake pads?
Bedding in your brake pads is paramount for increasing your vehicle’s braking system lifespan, safety and performance. Brake pads that are properly bedded in provide more braking power, allowing you to brake smoothly on the road. Not bedding in your brake pads can lead to film building up on the rotors over time, causing brake judder when applying the brakes.
Bedding in your new brake pads in six steps
1. Find a quiet and safe place
To maximise the benefits of breaking in your vehicle’s brake pads, find a quiet stretch of road, free from traffic. This will ensure you can stop your car safely multiple times when bedding in your brake pads.
2. Prepare your vehicle
The next step is ensuring your vehicle is parked safely and the handbrake is engaged. This depends on whether you have a manual or automatic gearbox. For a manual vehicle, put the gearbox into neutral or apply park for an automatic car.
3. Speed up and slow down
Start driving your vehicle, taking into account the legal speed limit, gradually pick up the speed from 30 to 40mph before applying the brakes gently to slow down. When slowing down, ensure the car doesn’t come to a complete stop. Repeat the process several times to generate heat in your vehicle’s braking system.
4. Allow the brakes to cool
Once you’ve driven your car, find a safe parking space and allow the brakes to cool down for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid pressing the brake pedal in the cooling down phase to reduce the likelihood of uneven brake pad transfer.
5. Repeat the process
After the brakes have cooled down, repeat the driving process, gradually increasing the vehicle’s speed and applying moderate braking pressure. Ensure you do this several times to have an even distribution of brake pad transfer.
6. Cool the brakes again
Park your vehicle again and allow your car’s brakes to cool down for at least 20 to 30 minutes without using the braking system. This is the final phase in stabilising the surface of the brake pads.
The advantages of bedding in new brake pads
There are many advantages of having properly bedded in brake pads, which include:
- Extend the lifespan of your pads and braking system.
- You will have a smooth and comfortable driving experience.
- Improved braking performance and power.
- Reduce the risk of your brakes squeaking and grinding.
Bedding in your brand-new brake pads ensures increased brake performance for your vehicle. Are your brakes not stopping as effectively as they should? Our article outlines what to look out for if you need new brake pads for your car. Book your free brake check at your local Formula One Autocentres branch today.
