Brake pad warning light

[NickZ]

Quick question - does the Polo GTI have a brake pad warning light? Reason I ask is that the dealer has just rung me tell me I only have 2mm left on my pads. I am surprised this is the case considering there was no warning light and I only have done 30000km (says something about my driving!)

Any comments would be appreciated

[hkogti]

You driving is good!

I worn out my front pads in my previous car with 12000km!!

[NickZ]

You driving is good!

I worn out my front pads in my previous car with 12000km!!

OK that makes me feel slightly better!!!

[RhysQ]

yeah our brakes have pad sensors so i'd let the dealer know that your sensors haven't gone off... and when they do, you'll be changing your brakes... ELSEWHERE

I'm quite the spirited driver and my car has done 42,000 km's. My mech says I still have about 10,000 kms on the factory pads before the sensor triggers. The GTI's have a harder compound pad to the standard models to accommodate for 'enthusiastic driving', so there is no way (unless you track your car a bit) that the pads would be gone in 30,000 kms. Tell the dealer to stop pulling your leg.

As for a brake change, get some QFM (local product) or EBC Greenstuff pads on next. Don't let the dealer sting you through the nose for OEM replacement pads.

[NickZ]

Thanks mate, I was sure they did but thought maybe it was only on the early models. I have told the dealer I will have a 'think about it' as I was sure we had one and had some suspicions. I will get it investigated by someone independent in the meantime just to be sure.

My car has never been tracked, and whilst I can be spirited in my driving sometimes, I also spend a fair bit of time driving normally and I use the gears to reduce my speed as much as possible rather than stamping on the brakes constantly. So hearing this did surprise me.

Regardless, I definitely want to upgrade the pads (whether now or later) - sorry if this is a dumb question as I am a bit of a noob when it comes to brakes, but can I get away with changing the pads only? What's the advantage of changing the rotors or other parts as well?

[RhysQ]

sorry if this is a dumb question as I am a bit of a noob when it comes to brakes, but can I get away with changing the pads only? What's the advantage of changing the rotors or other parts as well?

Not a dumb question at all. But yes, you can certainly just upgrade the pads. I'll be doing my just my pads shortly, closely followed by braided brake lines. The advantage of aftermarket upgrade sports pads like the ones i mentioned before is they usually last longer and have a larger temperature range, so at high temps they still are at peak performance. This major positive though (for me anyway), is they have significantly less brake dust, meaning your wheels will stay cleaner for longer.

Our front rotors are large enough for what we use them for, even our spirited local driving. You would only need to upgrade your rotors if you were doing a bit of track work. RDA slotted and/or drilled rotors are designed to stay cooler for longer and have less rotor wear. Not something i'm looking at in the near future. I'd much rather braid my lines, i think the advantages in that outweigh larger rotors.

[Piotr]

I also spend a fair bit of time driving normally and I use the gears to reduce my speed as much as possible rather than stamping on the brakes constantly.

it's better to use your brakes to reduce speed as it's cheaper to replace your pads than gearbox bearings.

[RhysQ]

it's better to use your brakes to reduce speed as it's cheaper to replace your pads than gearbox bearings.

The way I look at it. Gearbox's last 10+ years, brakes last ~3. I won't have the car when the clutch wears out, but may have it when the brakes do.... so I gear brake to increase the life of my brakes. If my gearbox/clutch goes, i'll learn a lesson, but probably won't stop doing it.

Please keep in mind i'm not going 80km/h and throwing it into 1st gear to slow down, nor do I do it in heavy traffic showing no brake lights.

[mikepologti]

i do the same, generally i only use my gears as more of an "assist" to slow down then anything. i did this on my previous car and it lasted 13 years before i traded it in for my polo.

[gregozedobe]

I have told the dealer I will have a 'think about it' as I was sure we had one and had some suspicions. I will get it investigated by someone independent in the meantime just to be sure.

It is definitely worth having all your pads looked at (properly) to see if they are worn out - after all, it is possible your dealer is telling you the truth and they do need replacing.

IIRC on some VAG vehicles they only have sensors on 1 wheel on each axle, so if there is uneven wear, the other pads (with the sensors) may still have plenty of meat left on them.