I recently had my 2004 Lexus LS430 (19,000 miles, 18 months old) to the dealer for warranty work. While the car was there, I asked them to check the brake pad wear. They told me that I have 5/32nds left on all 4 and that was about half way. After I left, I started thinking about it and have a few questions:
- DOES 5/32nds left really mean I've only worn half the pads? How many
- I live in Pittsburgh. LOTS AND LOTS of hills all day. And to be totally honest, my driving "could be better". In other words, I hit the brakes pretty hard perhaps more than a better driver would (I am trying to be nice to myself in public). My 2004 LS430 now has 19,000 miles on the odometer and these are the original pads. I have NEVER EVER gotten more than 15,000 miles from front pads on other make cars, although the rears usually last to about
Does the Lexus use some sort of different braking system where, instead of the front brake pads wearing quicker than the rear as is usually the case, the load is distributed more evenly? If so, that would expiain my situation where the fronts are lasting longer and the rears maybe shorter. But also if so, wouldn't OTHER manufacturers be quick to catch onto this and it not be some hidden Lexus thing?
Any insight here would be helpful. Also, when I do change the pads, is there a reason (other than convenience, confidence, etc) to use the dealer, or can a decent independent handle the job. Frankly a good friend owns a Meineke Muffler franchise and he swears it's not different than a high end Toyota and he does Lexus brake pads all the time (although I suspect older Lexi where the people avoid the dealer). While I would probably not normally take my 18 month old $60,000 to ANY franchise that is geared to older, "lower end" cars, I trust this guy and I would be buying him, not Meineke.
I look forward to what you folks here know and think about this.