Mercedes ‘Check Brake Pad Wear’ Message: What to Do? (2024)
Are you seeing a “Check Brake Pad Wear” message on your Mercedes dashboard?
If yes, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll discuss what this message really means, why it’s something you shouldn’t ignore, and how you can tackle it head-on.
Quick Answer: Mercedes ‘Check Brake Pad Wear’ Message
A ‘Check Brake Pad Wear’ message on your Mercedes’ dashboard means that the brake pads are nearly worn. Typically, you have around 1,000 to 3,000 miles before the brake pads wear down completely. The message will disappear after replacing the brake pads and brake pad wear sensors.
What does the ‘Check Brake Pad Wear’ message mean?
The ‘Check Brake Pad Wear’ message means that your brake pads will soon have to be replaced.
Over time, with every press of the brake pedal, brake pads wear down a little. This is perfectly normal, but it does mean they need to be replaced periodically.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles are equipped with sensors that monitor the thickness of these brake pads. When the pads wear down to a certain point, the sensor triggers the “Check Brake Pad Wear” message on your dashboard.
The brake pad wear sensor sits in the brake pads. After the brake pads wear down, the sensor touches the rotor and sounds out the signal:
Generally, a Mercedes has two brake pad wear sensors. One is usually at the front left wheel and one at the rear right wheel.
After the “Check Brake Pad Wear” message appears, you typically have 2 to 3 millimeters of brake bad material left.
This means that you can continue driving with the “Check Brake Pad Wear” message. Typically, you have around 1,000 to 3,000 miles before the brake pads wear down completely.
Mercedes brake pads generally last between 25,000 and 65,000 miles.
How do you check brake pad wear on a Mercedes?
Anyone can check the brake pad wear on their Mercedes.
You can do a visual inspection by looking at the brake pads through the spokes of the wheel.
The outer brake pad will be pressed against a metal rotor. Ideally, you should see at least 1/4 inch of the pad. If you see less than that, it’s a sign your pads are wearing thin.
There are also some other signs that signal worn brake pads:
- High-pitched squealing sound. If you hear a high-pitched squealing sound when you brake, that’s another sign of worn brake pads. Some pads have a metal wear indicator that makes this sound when it’s time for a change.
- Spongy brake pedal. When you brake, if it feels like it’s taking longer to stop or if the pedal feels spongy, these could be signs your brake pads are wearing down.
Replacing Mercedes brake pads
Once you’ve determined that your brake pads are indeed worn and need replacing, you have two routes to take.
You can do it yourself or bring your Mercedes to a mechanic.
Replacing the brake pads at a Mercedes dealer costs around $300 per axle. If you do it yourself, you can buy new brake pads and wear sensors for roughly $100 per axle.
Here’s a simplified overview of how to replace Mercedes brake pads:
- Gather Your tools and parts: You’ll need a jack, jack stands, a lug wrench, and the correct replacement brake pads. Don’t forget the new brake pad wear sensor, which is essential for resetting the warning message.
- Remove the wheel: Loosen the lug nuts (while the car is still on the ground), then jack up the car and secure it with jack stands before removing the wheel entirely.
- Access the brake pads: Locate the brake caliper and carefully remove it to access the pads. This might require removing a few bolts. Be sure to support the caliper properly to avoid damaging the brake hose.
- Replace the pads and sensor: Remove the old pads and the wear sensor. Install the new pads and the new sensor, ensuring everything fits perfectly and is aligned correctly.
- Reassemble: Put the caliper back in place, ensuring it’s securely bolted on. Repeat the process for all necessary wheels.
- Test: Once everything is reassembled and the wheel is back on, lower the car and gently test the brakes at low speeds to ensure everything is working correctly.
Resetting the ‘Check Brake Pad Wear’ message
Once the new pads and sensor are in place, the “Check Brake Pad Wear” message should reset automatically.
The brake pad wear sensor is directly linked to the car’s onboard computer system, which detects when a new sensor is installed and resets the warning message accordingly.
If you’ve replaced the sensor along with your brake pads, give your car a short test drive. This allows the system to register the new sensor and clear the message.
Conclusion
So, the next time your Mercedes sends you a message about checking the brake pad wear, you’ll know exactly what it means and how to handle it.
Thanks for sticking with us through this guide!
