Break Linings

[blackbeauty]

My brake light came on and shortly thereafter my "Check Your Break Linings" came on.

I did have my rotors changed a few months back. I guess I should have told them to check the break pads as well.

Anyway, the reason why I am asking is I am leaving for Europe for a month on the 29th. Could this wait until I return? For the most part my car will be sitting except for the occasional usage from dh.

Or should I take care of this ASAP?

TIA!

[ljnlaw]

Did they change your brake sensors when they changed the rotors? You may have a bad brake sensor, also you should be able to look at the pads to see how much pad is left...definitely needs checking, and generally speaking you should always have pads and rotors done at the same time and broken in together. Just have your mechanic take a peek or stop by VAC and they will take a quick peek and get you back on your way.

[blackbeauty]

Originally Posted by ljnlaw

Did they change your brake sensors when they changed the rotors? You may have a bad brake sensor, also you should be able to look at the pads to see how much pad is left...definitely needs checking, and generally speaking you should always have pads and rotors done at the same time and broken in together. Just have your mechanic take a peek or stop by VAC and they will take a quick peek and get you back on your way.

Yeah I sorta thought pads and rotors went hand in hand...
I am going to call BMW to make sure (if I need new pads) it's covered under warranty. How common is it to have a faulty brake sensor?

[Zulu95]

Brake sensors can break.

[Tomaz]

You should have the brakes inspected as soon as possible. If the light is on the pads are worn to a minimum thickness. If you continue to use the brakes it will eventually ruin your rotors. However you probably have another 500 to 1000 miles of driving before damage occurs.

[BigLew]

They should not have replaced the rotors without replacing the pads. You can replace the pads and not the rotors, but not the other way around.

[tijanaw]

Originally Posted by BigLew

They should not have replaced the rotors without replacing the pads. You can replace the pads and not the rotors, but not the other way around.

[butundo]

Originally Posted by blackbeauty

My brake light came on and shortly thereafter my "Check Your Break Linings" came on.

I did have my rotors changed a few months back. I guess I should have told them to check the break pads as well.

Anyway, the reason why I am asking is I am leaving for Europe for a month on the 29th. Could this wait until I return? For the most part my car will be sitting except for the occasional usage from dh.

Or should I take care of this ASAP?

TIA!

I have never heard of replacing rotors without new pads. The pads tend to get grooves worn into them from the rotors. By replacing the rotors (which would be very smooth and true) and using pads that have grooves worn into them, you are taking a chance with braking distance and overall reliablity. Your brakes can heat up faster and wear much more quickly because of this. Was this done under warranty?
I have done both front and rear, and yes the sensor is fragile, but most likely you need new pads. What is the milage on your vehicle and which rotors were replaced?

[vinuneuro]

When your pads wear, the brake fluid level in the master cyl resevoir drops. If it drops enough, the brake light will come on to indicate low brake fluid. Have the pads replaced and then check the brake fluid level.

[blackbeauty]

My bad: break pads and rotors were replaced. And yes, it was covered under warranty.

So maybe it's a faulty break sensor...I have an appt with BMW next week.

Currently I have 72,000k on it. I am wondering if the break sensor is under warranty. I'll ask next week.

Ty!