How your BMW’s brakes work
Every time you press the pedal, hydraulic pressure pushes the brake pads against the brake discs, which most people call rotors. The friction between pad and rotor turns the car’s speed into heat, and that is what slows you down.
BMW brakes are sized for a car that is meant to be driven with enthusiasm, but they still wear. Pads wear down with every stop. Rotors get thinner and can become grooved. Brake fluid absorbs moisture and loses its resistance to heat. Stop and go traffic on the Loop 101 and summer temperatures in Scottsdale only speed that up.
When should you service your BMW brakes?
Brake pads
In general, you should have your BMW brake pads inspected about every 10,000 miles, and replace them if the lining is worn down far enough to trigger the pad replacement sensor.
In reality, most people do not inspect their pads very often. They wait until the little brake warning lamp appears on the dashboard. That is fine, as long as you act on it. When you see that warning lamp, it is wise to replace the pads and have the discs inspected right away.
Brake rotors
Brake discs, or rotors, are a very important part of the braking system. The pads rub against the discs to create the friction that slows the car down. If the rotors become too thin or grooved, their ability to stop the car decreases, and a thin rotor also holds less heat before it starts to fade.
That is why, whenever we replace brake pads, we always measure the thickness of the brake discs. If they fall below the specified value for your car, we replace them. If they are still within specification, we tell you so and leave them on the car.
Signs your BMW needs brake service
- The brake pad warning lamp is on
- Squealing or grinding when you brake
- A pulsing or vibrating brake pedal, or a shaking steering wheel under braking
- The car pulls to one side when you brake
- A soft or long pedal, or stopping distances that feel longer than they used to
- It has been 10,000 miles or more since your pads were last checked
What we do during a brake service
- Inspect the pads, rotors, calipers, hoses and pad wear sensors on all four corners.
- Measure rotor thickness and compare it with the specification for your BMW.
- Replace worn pads, and rotors that are below specification or badly grooved, using quality parts matched to your model.
- Clean and lubricate the caliper hardware so the new pads move freely and wear evenly.
- Check the fluid and recommend a flush if it is due. We suggest a brake and clutch hydraulic flush every 24 months.
- Road test the car to confirm the pedal feel and that it stops straight.
BMW specific notes
Pad wear sensors
Most BMWs use electronic pad wear sensors, usually one at the front axle and one at the rear. Once the pad wears into the sensor it has done its job, so we replace it along with the pads. That keeps your warning system working for the next set.
Performance and M models
M cars and performance packages often use larger rotors and multi piston calipers. They stop brilliantly but can be more sensitive to pad choice and rotor condition. We race BMWs ourselves, so we understand how pad compound, rotor condition and fluid all affect the way a car stops, on the street and on track.
Book a brake inspection
If your warning lamp is on, or it has been a while since anyone looked at your brakes, call us at 480.922.1068 or send us a message through the contact page. We are in the Scottsdale Airpark, near the 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
BMW Brake Service FAQ
How often should my BMW brake pads be checked?
About every 10,000 miles. We check them as part of every service visit, so if you keep up with your oil services you will always know where your pads stand.
The brake warning lamp is on. Can I keep driving?
The lamp usually means the pad has worn down to the wear sensor. It is not an emergency, but it is time to book. Replace the pads and have the rotors inspected as soon as you can, because the longer you wait, the more likely the rotors will need replacing too.
Do you always replace the rotors with the pads?
No. We measure the thickness of the rotors every time we replace pads. If they are still within the specification for your car, we leave them. If they are below it, or badly grooved, we replace them.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
We recommend flushing the hydraulic system, brakes and clutch, every 24 months.