How to Bed-In or Condition New Brake Pads and Rotors

When you get new brakes, it can feel like a boost in driving safety. But, to get the most out of those new brakes and extend the life of your rotors, you need to break in those new brakes. Les Schwab has been repairing, installing, and helping customers understand the importance of conditioning their new brakes for decades. That’s why our brake technicians take your vehicle for a test drive after installing your new brakes. We’re conditioning them for you. Here’s why.

What Does Bedding-In Brakes Mean

Depending on where you were raised and where you live, the term bedding-in brakes comes in several flavors. Those include breaking-in, conditioning, burnishing, and seating. Generally, they all mean the same thing.

Conditioning your brakes is the process of heating new brake pads and rotors to ensure peak performance along with extending the life of those new brakes. When your new brakes are conditioned, a thin layer of brake pad material is transferred to the rotor to help avoid rotor warping and steering wheel shaking. It also promotes consistent brake pad wear, and peak stopping power.

Why Bedding-In New Brake Pads and Rotors Matters

Bedding in your new brakes is important. When done right, you’ll get better stopping power with optimized friction between the pads and the rotors, those brake pads and rotors will last longer, and you’ll enjoy a smoother, quieter ride by avoiding the onset of rotor warp (overall uneven thickness of the rotors). Learn more about rotor warp, how to avoid it, and when to get your brakes checked at Les Schwab.

The professionals at Les Schwab have been specially trained to inspect, repair, replace, and condition the brakes on your car or truck. That includes new brake pads as well as new or resurfaced rotors for best results. Schedule an appointment today, or stop by your local store.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Break In New Brakes

The next time you get new brake pads and/or new or resurfaced rotors, here’s how to break in those new brakes on your own.

Step 1: Choose a Safe Place to Do Some Quick Stops

We recommend a long, straight stretch of road with no traffic (if possible). Be sure you can safely and legally go at least 45 miles per hour (MPH). Please be aware that this, and the following steps, can require repeated stops and starts. Do not bed-in new brakes with other vehicles or persons nearby.

Step 2: Ride the Brakes to Heat Them Up

Without anyone behind you, speed up to 35 MPH. Then press firmly on the brakes until you reach 5 MPH. Do not slam on the brakes. Also, avoid coming to a complete stop. This is called riding the brakes to heat them up. Repeat this step 5 times to get those brakes nice and warm. Now that your brakes are warm, speed up to 45 MPH and hit the brakes hard until you reach 5 MPH. Repeat this step 2- 5 times.

Step 3: Let the Brakes Cool

If possible, drive for 10 minutes with little to no braking. This step helps prevent thermal shock and ensures the pad material on the rotors has a chance to set evenly. After your 10-minute drive, pull over and let the brakes cool completely. This can take up to 15 minutes.

Step 4: Drive Normally During the Break-In Period

Finally, unless necessary, avoid hitting the brakes hard for the next 1,000 miles or so. After that, your brakes should be bedded in or conditioned to last for years to come.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Bedding-In Brakes

To ensure the longevity and performance of your new brakes and rotors, practice these common new brake tips.

• Don’t slam on your brakes, unless necessary to avoid an accident, for 1,000 miles or more.
• Don’t ride your brakes down hills for the first 1,000 miles or more.
• Don’t tow a trailer for the first 1,000 miles or more.
• Don’t carry a lot of weight or pack your vehicle with passengers until the brakes have been conditioned.

Expert Brake Service and Free Brake Checks at Les Schwab

Your safety matters, which is why we only use premium-quality pads and rotors, train our brake technicians on the latest and time-honored techniques, and offer one of the best brake warranties in the industry. Not sure if you need new brakes? Just stop by and we’ll give them a free visual inspection. If they need servicing or replacing, we’ll provide an itemized estimate to help you make an informed decision.

Schedule Your Brake Service or Free Brake Check