When does the brake pad warning light come on?

[MacV50]

Hi folks

During the last 2 services and a tyre change the garages advised that I'll need front brake pads soon. My car's still on the original pads and disks after 53k. I think I should easily get 60k from them.

I changed to my winter wheels today and there's still around 4mm left on the pads so I'm wondering how low the wear has to go before the warning light comes on. Also, what's the pad thickness on new Volvo pads?

Thanks

[Tony500]

60k from a set of pads? I usually have 2/3 sets by then lol

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by MacV50

so I'm wondering how low the wear has to go before the warning light comes on.

Have a long wait they don't have a pad light unless its a special vehicle, ie police car

[T5R92011]

You'll know when you need to change them when you hear an orrible grinding noise everytime you brake.

The front pads have metal prongs on that grind against the disc when the pad wears low

[MacV50]

Originally Posted by Tony500

60k from a set of pads? I usually have 2/3 sets by then lol

I'm not hard on brakes. I think it helps having done the IAM test as I anticipate much more than a lot of drivers. Just the other day on a twisty country road I maintained the same speed as the driver in front without touching the brakes. They were braking for pretty much every corner!

Originally Posted by Rooster

Have a long wait they don't have a pad light unless its a special vehicle, ie police car

Every car I've owned has had a low brake pad warning light so I'm surprised this one doesn't!

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Tony500

60k from a set of pads? I usually have 2/3 sets by then lol

How do you tend to drive? I try not to use the brakes unless absolutely necessary, I engine brake alot.

Same driving technique my Dad uses, which I need to be cautious of though because he braked so little on his old Nissan the calipers actually seized up and had to get it all changed anyway.. :P

[alfadave11]

brake fluid low level light more than likely comes on as the capacity of this is in proportionate to displacement of fluid in calipers ....if you do your own maintenance you should know if you have a garage that does your servicing they should advise you ..if not change your garage

[scooby]

may be worth sticking some new ones in easy job and cheap i have had all mine done twice in 6 years but i mine is on 97k

[Al1baly]

Originally Posted by MacV50

I'm not hard on brakes. I think it helps having done the IAM test as I anticipate much more than a lot of drivers. Just the other day on a twisty country road I maintained the same speed as the driver in front without touching the brakes. They were braking for pretty much every corner!



Every car I've owned has had a low brake pad warning light so I'm surprised this one doesn't!

I'm not sure if my 2012 s40 rdesign has or not but just to say that when I learned to drive my first car had cable, drum brakes which were pretty useless and as a consequence I and a lot of older drivers tend to use our gearbox to slow down and aim to be in the correct gear at all times relative to speed and corners. This is how I was taught.

[alfadave11]

Originally Posted by Al1baly

I'm not sure if my 2012 s40 rdesign has or not but just to say that when I learned to drive my first car had cable, drum brakes which were pretty useless and as a consequence I and a lot of older drivers tend to use our gearbox to slow down and aim to be in the correct gear at all times relative to speed and corners. This is how I was taught.

or you spent time on motorcycles