At what % left to Audi brake pad wear sensors come on? (Q7)

[GP335i]

Just had my Audi in for a service and they've rung stating my front brake pads are 90% worn?! I only replaced them 8k miles ago and the wear sensors aren't on and weren't on then. Does anyone know how much % you've got left once the wear sensor illuminates?

[Cupramax]

Do you drive particulary hard? Ive had 4 audis now, an A3 an A4 and two A5's, front pads have all lasted minimum of 20k and some even more. I'd call them out on it and look yourself. Edit, didnt see the Q7 bit, possible i suppose.

Edited by Cupramax on Tuesday 23 June 17:25

[Dr G]

80-90% is the standard guidance.

Seek an independent opinion; the dealers are often somewhat overzealous when quoting replacement pads/discs.

[GP335i]

First set of pads last 22k miles, from memory I don't even think the wear pad sensor had came on! Definately not driven hard but it is a heavy lump, wife drives it 95% of the time. I think they've seen pads were recommended to be changed at the last service, not realised I changed them myself and chanced their luck!

[blueg33]

Wow that's heavy wear! I got over 50k miles out of the front pads on my A6.

[Chippo1]

My A4 is on 38k fronts 55% rears 50% , but then I don't use brakes much on this car.the dealer at last service was convinced we had had them changed by an Indy etc.

As long as they last 3 years and go back with a few thou of pad I don't a flying fart is only a lease car .

My previous vehicle had 50% wear at 65k and 3 years and years ago I got 190 k out of rear brake shoes on a Citroen.

You are either driving like Lewis or there is something wrong with the car or some one needs to sell a lot of pads pronto , next they will say you need new:discs!

[Cupramax]

GP335i said:

I think they've seen pads were recommended to be changed at the last service, not realised I changed them myself and chanced their luck!

This, ive had this happen when i took my mums car in for a service once, new pads, had an advisory last time. She got a call saying your pads need doing. They shut up pronto when she advised id fitted new ones the week before.

[GP335i]

Cupramax said:

GP335i said:

I think they've seen pads were recommended to be changed at the last service, not realised I changed them myself and chanced their luck!

This, ive had this happen when i took my mums car in for a service once, new pads, had an advisory last time. She got a call saying your pads need doing. They shut up pronto when she advised id fitted new ones the week before.

I know this sounds OTT but as far as I'm concerned that's fraud. What would happen when they went to change them and noticed they were as good as new, would they then stop? No chance.

[Cupramax]

GP335i said:

Cupramax said:

GP335i said:

I think they've seen pads were recommended to be changed at the last service, not realised I changed them myself and chanced their luck!

This, ive had this happen when i took my mums car in for a service once, new pads, had an advisory last time. She got a call saying your pads need doing. They shut up pronto when she advised id fitted new ones the week before.

I know this sounds OTT but as far as I'm concerned that's fraud. What would happen when they went to change them and noticed they were as good as new, would they then stop? No chance.

Not OTT at all, i had my suspicions when i found she'd been sold new tyres which she didnt need at the previous service, i knew as I'd checked them before hand but she couldnt get hold of me when they called. I gave the manager a right earfull and reported them to the local trading standards.

[oilydan]

I just changed the pads on the RS6 (2009).

Wear indicator light was on for about 500 miles before I changed them. Pads had been on the car for about 15k miles, with new discs.

Comparing the new pads to the old, there is about 70% before the wear indicator is activated. Audi does not give much meat on the pad from new anyway, or that could just be for the RS.

I reckon I could have done another 100 before there was any danger of hitting the rivets.

[Chippo1]

Trouble is there are no hard and fast rules for pad wear it's entirely driver dependant with a bit of route thrown in , my daily basic commute is 68 miles round trip with 50 ish being motor way .

I don't wear brakes but at 38 k near the end of 2nd set of front tyres

[spinning wheels]

Interesting enough the car went ping today and a little yellow warning light appeared showing front pads need replacing. Going in on Saturday morning to get the work done, going down to Cornwall week after next so need the car to be trouble free. Was happy with the price being offered by Audi, given a discounted price of £160ish to replace the front pair, they through in a wash etc.
Spookily enough car was in for a service last month and service advice note highlighted pads were at 70% worn.