I can't believe it: I just took my 2008 Civic with 12,000 miles on the odo to the dealership for vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds and they found that my front brake pads are down to 20%!!! After 12,000 miles!!! I've never replaced brake pads before 40,000+ miles on any other car I've owned. So, my questions:

1. Has anyone had such excessive brake pad wear in a Civic? At what mileage do front brake pads usually need to be replaced in the new Civics?
2. I'd like to upgrade: What brake pads do you recommend? What rotors?

Thanks greatly for the advice.

 

does this vibration occur only at highway speeds? does it happen when you apply the brakes at any other speed? chances are your wheels are just out of balance causing the vibration at high speeds. if i were you, I'd check the brake pads myself to confirm how much life is really left. the dealership could be screwing you over. I've never seen brake pads wear as quickly as that...typically pads should last ~30k miles atleast

 

^ x2

Also, please refrain from double (or in your case, triple) posting.

 

I didn't know which topic to post in to get maximum exposure. Nice pic.

 

It's okay, you'll get the hang of it.


Are you sure your dealership is honest and doesn't just want to sell you brake pads?

 

Thanks.

Also I used to work at a dealership and I can tell you that the technicians will try to sell you brake pads when you are just below half way through the pads. Its a rip off and we all know but thats how they make their money (not defending them) so they try to get the people who dont know better coming in for warranty work to get cash work from them. 90% people who go to the dealer dont know anything about maintenance of vehicles.

 

yeah I would check something wrong with your wheels something must be applying the breaks and wearing them out.

I am on my second set of breaks and probably going to be due for third pretty soon and I have 105,000 thousand miles so something is definitely wrong and the breaks are rubbing somehow.

I am still on the original rear drums - breaks should last anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 miles depending on the type of driving.

I always have had good luck with the dealers and they have always been honest but expensive with me but you can get a second opinion easily. I always have trouble with the corner stations because half the time they don't know what they are doing or they don't have the right tools or something to that effect.

 

If the 2008 Civic's brakes are anything like those of the 96-00 it's ridiculously easy to check them yourself. Search for a write up, or download your Factory Service Manual.

 

how do we check the brake pad ourselves without dismantle anything? possible?

 

take the wheel off and look through the window on the side of the caliper