When To Check The Brakes

[beatle]

In PA, checking the brakes is part of our required annual inspection (which I time to do when I'm having the tires rotated). Because of regen and OPD, I rarely use the brake pedal at all, but understand that doesn't necessarily mean that the brakes aren't being used. I know, for example, that if I've got a full charge that the OPD will use the brakes if it can't channel energy to the battery via regen.

I think, as @Time2Roll said, just have them checked each tire rotation and you'll be fine. My tire place does that automatically.

If PA is like VA, they'll take a look at your pads and see that they're thick enough, but they don't actually see that they're moving freely in the caliper. This was the problem on my Model S - the pads had partially seized in the caliper and were both dragging and not biting evenly. It was previously a rust belt car and the caliper pins were dry. I had a great time removing the pads to replace them.

I mention that only to say that the annual safety inspection won't catch some of the bigger problems associated with EVs/hybrids and brakes, which is corrosion/seizing due to lack of use. Taking the pins out and lubricating them is a good idea. I'd say at least every other year.

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[godfodder0901]

Going in to Settings and under "Vehicle>>Drivers Assist" then scrolling through all of the settings in Driver Assist, the very last entry read >>Regenerative Baking Assist . Is this the "blended brake feature" you are referring to in your post? Thank you.

Yes.

 

[CO Riv]

I had a Tesla Model S for 8 years and 100K miles. It never required brake pad replacement, and even at 100K, it had minimal brake pad wear.

I greased the calipers once yearly when I swapped to snow tires. The brakes never seized and were always there when needed.

 

[KBabione]

I mention that only to say that the annual safety inspection won't catch some of the bigger problems associated with EVs/hybrids and brakes, which is corrosion/seizing due to lack of use. Taking the pins out and lubricating them is a good idea. I'd say at least every other year.

Thanks for the info - I've never done brakes myself but I'll make sure they do that when I get my tires rotated the next time. This forum has been great for me - I learn something every day!

 

[Carscott]

Yes this was my experience in Canada with the 2012 Prius V. I always would get a stuck rusty pad and uneven wear. We use salt in snow. I was cheap so didn’t investigate brakes or clean them at tire swap. It cost me. So with rivian I pay rivian 200 CAD every fall the make sure they are stuck take them all apart grease sliders and reinstall.

I read a post that alleged that early models were not greased correctly leaving factory but I’m not sure how that could be accurately determined.

Chris.




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QUOTE="beatle, post: 866754, member: 21463"]
If PA is like VA, they'll take a look at your pads and see that they're thick enough, but they don't actually see that they're moving freely in the caliper. This was the problem on my Model S - the pads had partially seized in the caliper and were both dragging and not biting evenly. It was previously a rust belt car and the caliper pins were dry. I had a great time removing the pads to replace them.

I mention that only to say that the annual safety inspection won't catch some of the bigger problems associated with EVs/hybrids and brakes, which is corrosion/seizing due to lack of use. Taking the pins out and lubricating them is a good idea. I'd say at least every other year.
[/QUOTE]

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