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I know this is Basic MINI, 101 - and I have read about a hundred posts about it already, but I still don't understand exactly what my MINI is trying to tell me. I would go to the dealer and ask, but the nearest one is about 180 miles from me, so I'm hoping the NAM community can help me.
When I start my 2010 R56 Justa, (44.4k) I briefly see this:
Navigating to the MINI's Service Info, I find this:
According to my Owner's Manual:
... that symbol (#3) means "Front Brakes" - which apparently need some kind of attention in the next 1100 miles - but exactly what needs to be done is not clear.
My Owner's Manual shows another icon for "Brake Pads Worn" - but I have not yet seen that warning on my MINI's dash.
Does anyone know if the "Front Brakes" service indicator (second and third photos) is based on some theoretical combination of miles and my driving habits, or has one of my wear sensors actually been activated. If the wear sensor has been triggered, why am I not seeing the "Break Pads Worn" symbol? Maybe that will come on when I've gone another 1100 miles?
Obviously, I am going to have front brakes pads installed - and whatever else the front brakes may need. Do I - for sure - need to this before I've driven the 1100 miles?
Is the "Brake Pads Worn" symbol something I really don't want to see - like an oil pressure light - when you see it, it's already too late?
There is an electronic sensor that wears as the pads are worn and also looks at the miles on the car and how many have passed. It extrapolates a theoretical miles to " 0 miles" left on brake pads.
Your wearing says 1100 miles to bad situation ( theoretically).
It's an estimate as stated. Best thing to do is take it to a big box auto parts store and ask to have the pads measured or if you're up to it, do it yourself. Easy to do. Driving habits vary in direct proportion to the driving population of the world so there's no way for a computer to know for sure. Eyeball and measuring stick are the only way.
There is an electronic sensor that wears as the pads are worn and also looks at the miles on the car and how many have passed. It extrapolates a theoretical miles to " 0 miles" left on brake pads.
Your wearing says 1100 miles to bad situation ( theoretically).
In the end. You need new brake pads.
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Ahh! So the sensor is "on" all the time and measures continuously?
I imagined the sensor did not send any kind of signal at all until the wear got down to a certain limit, and then sends a single signal: "Hello! Worn pads!" - but apparently that is not correct?
Your explanation clarifies how I was getting advanced notification before the pads are worn to the limit.
The sensor is a wear sensor. Once it wears past a certain point it the circuit opens and causes the light to go on at which point the computer gives you an estimation as to how many miles are left on the pads (based an various factor).
It's an estimate as stated. Best thing to do is take it to a big box auto parts store and ask to have the pads measured or if you're up to it, do it yourself. Easy to do. Driving habits vary in direct proportion to the driving population of the world so there's no way for a computer to know for sure. Eyeball and measuring stick are the only way.
Yes, an "estimate" -- but based on what? I was trying to determine if the estimate is purely theoretical - based only on some kind of algorithms - or if an actual measurement is involved; that is, real-world data from the wear sensor.
If I understand Drivehard correctly, the wear sensor measures "here is where you are now," and then, based on some kind of programming, calculates the brake pads will be worn out in x-number of miles.
The sensor is a wear sensor. Once it wears past a certain point it the circuit opens and causes the light to go on at which point the computer gives you an estimation as to how many miles are left on the pads (based an various factor).
Next question:
Are brake pads usually all that's needed?
That is, considering this is my first brake job, considering 5 years of use, considering my 44.4k total miles, and considering I sometimes drive like crazy, but I almost never brake like crazy (except when I've got myself into trouble):
Are new rotors needed: a. almost never, b. sometimes, or, c. almost always?
Is it recommend to rebuild the calipers: a. almost never, b. sometimes, or, c. almost always?
Are there any other parts that would routinely get replaced with the brake pads - maybe rubber parts that deteriorate with age, or some other parts that wear out?
If you are looking into doing this yourself along with other repairs then you need to buy a Bentley Manual for your year car. It is the bible for repairs on MINIs.
And before you ask, it is not electronic nor available online. Good old hardcopy.
The Bentley manual will tell you things like the minimum acceptable thickness of material recommended on your rotors. If the thickness of the rotors is close to the minimum, then up to you on whether you want to do pads now and rotors later or just get it over with.
Unless you are wanting to track the car or drive pretty aggressively, then the stock materials are fine. Stock parts seem to be more pricey than aftermarket.
Thanks to all for clearing this up for me. Next question: Are brake pads usually all that's needed? That is, considering this is my first brake job, considering 5 years of use, considering my 44.4k total miles, and considering I sometimes drive like crazy, but I almost never brake like crazy (except when I've got myself into trouble): Are new rotors needed: a. almost never, b. sometimes, or, c. almost always? Is it recommend to rebuild the calipers: a. almost never, b. sometimes, or, c. almost always? Are there any other parts that would routinely get replaced with the brake pads - maybe rubber parts that deteriorate with age, or some other parts that wear out?
It could be that all u need are pads BUT
BMW MINI do not recommend resurfacing rotors. They have a minimum thickness stamped on the hat. That min thickness is the thickness of the rotor at the point where it won't last another set of pads. ie. If min thickness was 25 mm and you measured and it was 26 mm then it is supposed to last 1 more set of pads. If it measured 24 mm then it would not last one more set of pads. IMHO if surface looks beat up and there is a large lip that will make noise eventually as it cuts into new pads. I always change the rotors.
No calipers don't need rebuild if all looks ok tell tale signs are pads that are worn unevenly or blue rotor surfaces
You should do a complete flush of the brake fluid.
Need pads, rotors, and sensors (since your circuit tripped, I didn't need those). About $500 when I had mine done, and the 3rd party shop I used charged about the same as the dealer quoted. OEM parts. About 55k miles for mine.
Usautoparts.com Centric rotors are OEM quality and cheap. Been running them for years. Lots of pads to choose from as well. OEM quality cheap, ceramic alittle more, sport pads even more, etc etc... Then just find a shop that will install your parts if your not doing it yourself..
