Wondering how to break in new brakes, or if it's even necessary? Proper brake pad break-in procedure can feel foreign or overwhelming if you've never done it, but it's a vital step in maintaining the safety and performance quality of your braking system.
Breaking in New Brake Pads at a Glance
BrakeTimeUSA is a leading supplier of brake components, and our team spends countless hours supporting drivers as they care for their vehicles. We created this page to provide a complete overview of how to break in new brakes and answer commonly asked questions like:
- What does it mean to break in your brakes?
- Why is breaking in new brake pads necessary?
- How can a brake pad "break" procedure help increase brake longevity?
- What is the proper brake pad break-in procedure?
- Where can I find new brake pads, rotors, or kits?
What Is Brake Pad Break-In?
Breaking in, also known as "bedding," brake pads, is the process of conditioning new brake pads and rotors to make sure they're bonded and functioning optimally. This crucial conditioning is done by heating up and cooling down your brake components in a controlled setting. Many, if not most, drivers we meet are completely unfamiliar with the concept of breaking in new brake pads: You buy a car, you drive it home, you live your life – right?
Wrong. Without a proper brake pad break procedure, you're risking thousands of dollars of damage. The good news is that learning how to break in new brakes can be easy. We'll go into more detail about the specific steps of breaking in new brake pads below, but first, let's discuss why it's so crucial.
Why Is Breaking in New Brake Pads Necessary?
Just like your vehicle's engine needs to warm up in winter before driving, new brake components need help adjusting to their environment. Properly bedded brake pads create consistent friction between a vehicle's pads and rotors, giving you much better control during emergency stops and lessening the chance of an unwanted collision. They also last longer, keeping your brake pad replacement costs down and your rotors in top shape.
Breaking in new brake pads also significantly reduces the risk of heat damage to your brake system, which can cause cracks in your rotors and calipers or lead to boiling brake fluid. If you take the time to follow the steps we've outlined below, you can mitigate these harmful scenarios and reduce unsafe driving conditions.
Eight Ways Breaking in New Brake Pads Helps Your Vehicle
- Removes contaminants and irregularities from the brake rotor surface
- Helps prevent localized hotspots and rotor warping
- Releases gas trapped in brake pads to prevent brake fade
- Deposits an even layer of friction material between rotors and brake pads
- Ensures consistent friction within the braking system for smoother performance
- Reduces noise and vibrations from the road
- Minimizes premature wear and tear
- Creates a more responsive brake pedal
Whether you have traditional or performance rotors on your make and model, these eight points are critical to keeping your vehicle safe and healthy. And now for the meat of this meal: Our BrakeTimeUSA guide on how to break in new brakes!
A Step-By-Step Guide To Proper Brake Pad Break-In Procedure
With enough guidance and support, you can learn how to break in new brakes, even if you're brand new to automotive care. Let us help you navigate the process: Follow the BrakeTimeUSA outline below, and you'll soon know how to break in new brakes, pads, and rotors to keep your vehicle in top shape.
Preparation
The first step in breaking in new brake pads actually involves your rotors. Because brake pads and rotors work together to stop your vehicle, fitting your model with new brake pads but neglecting your rotors will lead to sub-par stopping power. You also can't properly bed your new brake pads if your rotors are dirty.
While you're at home and parked, check each wheel to make sure all four rotors are clean and clear of debris, dust, or corrosion. If you notice grooves, cracks, or an uneven surface on any rotors, you'll need professional assistance to resurface them before breaking in your new brake pads.
The Bedding Process
If your rotors are clean and don't need service, you can proceed with the bedding process. Whether your pads are metallic or ceramic, brake pad break-in procedure is very similar. Choose a safe, low-traffic area where you will not be forced to stop to carry out the following steps.
Important Note: Do not stop completely or keep your brake pedal depressed for more than a few seconds at a time.- Gentle stops: Drive your vehicle at 30 or 35 mph, then perform five to six moderate stops in quick succession that slow your model to at least 10 mph. Do not stop completely or allow your brakes to cool to help evenly transfer brake pad material to the rotors.
- Moderate stops: Next, bring your engine to 40 or 45 mph before braking with medium-hard pressure until your vehicle reaches 10 mph, but do not stop completely. You may smell brake resin as your system heats up; this is normal.
- Hard stops: Last, drive until you reach 50 or 55 mph to increase the level of heat within your braking system and promote brake pad and rotor bonding. Once you reach this speed, perform two or three hard stops that reduce your speed to 10 mph, but do not drag or hold the brake pedal or come to a complete stop.
Final Cool-Down
Once you've worked your brake pads through the three steps above, it's time for a final cool-down. This means that after you've completed the two or three hard stops, you'll need to drive around at a moderate speed for roughly five minutes. This time will allow your braking system to flush out any residual heat and the resin in the brake pads to cure.
Mistakes To Avoid When Breaking in New Brake Pads
As we mentioned above, one of the biggest mistakes you can make when learning how to break in new brakes is to hold your brake pedal down while your brakes are hot. Doing so can create an impression in your brake rotor that can cause vibrations and shuddering every time you stop. You also don't want to overheat your braking system by performing the bedding process for longer than recommended because this can lead to rotor glazing.
In addition, if you notice any unusual changes in your vehicle after breaking in new brake pads, such as the high-pitched sound of your brakes squeaking or a slow-to-respond brake pedal, please reach out to a professional for in-person assistance.
Aftercare and Routine Brake Pad Maintenance
Once you've completed the break-in process, there's a bit of aftercare you should be aware of, too. For the next few days, monitor the feel of your brakes as you drive your vehicle. If you notice any strange vibrations, known as judders, your brake pads have created an imprint on your rotors. Pulsations while braking may also mean that brake pad material didn't evenly transfer to the rotors.
Either way, you'll want a professional to examine your braking system if you notice any atypical behaviors. And, as always, please have your brakes checked regularly by a certified technician to help keep you and your vehicle safe on the road, even if you know how to change your brakes at home.
Trust BrakeTimeUSA for All Your Braking Needs
At BrakeTimeUSA, we carry everything from drilled brake rotors and performance brake pads to full brake kits – just search your make, model, and year on our website to locate the parts you need! Plus, our top priority isn't selling automotive components, it's equipping our customers with the information they need to enjoy and maintain their vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for brake pads to break in?
Breaking in new brake pads can be done in about 15 minutes if you follow the steps we outlined above: Check your rotors, find a safe space, complete gentle, moderate, and hard decelerations without coming to complete stops, and then drive for about five minutes to allow your system to cool and your brake pads to cure. Then, monitor your brake's performance for a few days afterward.
What needs to be done after installing new brake pads?
After you or a professional technician install new brake pads on your vehicle, it's time to learn how to break in new brakes! The process of breaking in new brake pads, also called bedding or conditioning, is critical to the health of your vehicle and the safety of you and your passengers. Scroll up to find a detailed, step-by-step brake pad bedding process.
What should I expect after changing brake pads?
For a few weeks following a brake pad replacement, you can expect to hear minor squeaking or smell a small amount of residual brake pad resin. However, if the squealing doesn't stop, you notice vibrations when stopping, or the smell of resin remains strong, your new brake pads and rotors may not have bonded as they should, and you could need professional assistance before major damage occurs.
