How many miles left on brake pads when the light comes on?
 

What's the general wisdom on the number of miles you can drive once the sensor is activated and the warning light comes on? My Cayenne's rear sensors were just activated, and I need new pads and rotors. I did the fronts last fall. I ask because I'm in and out of town over the next few weeks, and I may not get to it for a little while. Are we talking about a few thousand miles here, or a few hundred?

Are you planning to stop? If not, it doesn't matter.

I've heard you get a few thousand under normal conditions. If you're installing new rotors, the screech will let you know you hit the limit.

I was thinking no more than 1,500 to 2,000 miles...

I had the low pad advisory with my front brakes.

I drove for another 1500 km and there still was plenty of pad left upon removal of the pads.

You will be fine.

1000-1500, maybe more. depending on driving style? Your good.
Mine came on today as well!

I had easily 5k left on the S -- I was surprised how much is remaining when the sensor trips.

I have driven 5,000km since the light came on. The pads still have plenty of life left in them. I have all new gear ready to go, just haven't got around to it. Check the pads out yourself. You will be really surprised how much pad you have left!!

I have been driving with my light forever! I wish I would have taken the mileage. It has been easily 2-3 months!

Why does the light come on so early?

I have my brakes and rotors sitting waiting until I hear the scratching sound...

It is the design of the hole in the pad material -- IMO it is too far in from the edge. All that happens is the probe grounds out on the rotor.

...keep an eye on them. If you push them all the way to "metal on metal," with the scratching sounds it does not take much more to damage the caliper.

I'll wash the Cayenne today and I'll take a look. I was planning to do the job myself, but I still need to order parts and figure out when I can do it. If my schedule looks too crazy, I may just have my mechanic do it. This will be my 3rd set of pads and second set of rotors on the rear at 110K miles. My first set of rotors weren't changed until about 80K miles. When I look at them now, there's quite a lip. I think I'll just replace them.

Dennis,

That's odd that you would have so much wear on the rears, so soon. Something must be wrong.

A

My brake life has been between 30k and 40k miles since the car was new. This seems to be right in line with that. They do seem to wear a little bit faster since we moved to the mountains, which seems logical.

I just noticed your Boxster Spyder. That replaced your C4S, right? How do you like it?

Oh, I was talking about the rear rotors.

Yes, the Spyder replaced the C4S. Hands down, no comparison, I LOVE the Spyder. IMHO this is the best P-car for the money, EVER built (for me at least). The handling is superb, PDK is incredible, torque and more torque, and then there's the looks and that fantastic manual top. I can't say enough good things about it. :p

I haven't actually measured them to see if they are still within spec. More than likely they are, I just noticed a lip on them with a quick visual inspection.