Source of sound - Brakes?

[robi]

Every once in awhile I hear this sound when backing out of my garage on our 6 month old 2025 Mach E Premium AWD with 12K+miles I would best describe it as deep almost a tuning fork tone. I suspect it’s the brake pads rubbing on the rotors. It goes away as I pull forward and don’t hear it again on the trip or on any subsequent trips that same day. My wife and I both use regenerative braking and although we do occasionally need to apply the regular brakes on faster stops , we sometimes never need to do that. I’m thinking this sound might be from the pads rubbing on the rotors after they have developed some surface rust overnight. Perhaps if we get into the habit of applying the brakes as we return from our trip this might wipe the rotors and not happen. In any case, as long as it’s a normal sound then no concerns. Has anyone else heard this sound?

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[OH2AZ2OH]

It is likely corrosion on mostly the rear rotors, and if so, is completely normal.
Also, 1 pedal uses no more or no less friction braking than 2 pedal mode for the same braking force.
If you want to quickly remove the corrosion from the rotors, like after washing the car, you can do a couple of stops with the car in Neutral, which will disengage the motors and only use friction braking.

 

[robi]

Thanks for confirming it is normal and I do suspect it comes from the rear brakes but sounds are always hard to pinpoint. I’ll try what you suggest to remove the corrosion after washing. One thing I did not quite understand is your comment that “ 1 pedal uses no more or no less friction braking than 2 pedal mode for the same braking force” . I thought 1 pedal relies entirely on the electric motor for braking.

 

[andriy416]

I had the same sound, it was raining and when I was reversing I had the same sound. 2025 ME Premium with 5k km. I took it to the dealer as I also suspected something was rubbing (dust cover and rotor or something) but turns out there was nothing.

 

[Adventureboy]

There are a few ways to clean the brakes up after washing or after a rain:

• Brake more aggressively a couple of times (not ideal if there is traffic behind you)
• Shift to neutral for a few stops (eliminate regeneration and only uses friction brakes)
• Turn TCS completely off for a few stops/goes. (This turns off TCS, so it's not recommended in slippery conditions - it puts the MME in 2PD and turns off regeneration)

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

Thanks for confirming it is normal and I do suspect it comes from the rear brakes but sounds are always hard to pinpoint. I’ll try what you suggest to remove the corrosion after washing. One thing I did not quite understand is your comment that “ 1 pedal uses no more or no less friction braking than 2 pedal mode for the same braking force” . I thought 1 pedal relies entirely on the electric motor for braking.

Unlike in Tesla’s, the brake pedal is not directly connected to the friction brakes. It is brake-by-wire, so even in 2 pedal mode, the computer will maximize regenerative braking, before mixing in friction braking as needed to reduce vehicle speed. Both modes will switch to 100% friction braking below 5mph.

 

[RickMachE]

Thanks for confirming it is normal and I do suspect it comes from the rear brakes but sounds are always hard to pinpoint. I’ll try what you suggest to remove the corrosion after washing. One thing I did not quite understand is your comment that “ 1 pedal uses no more or no less friction braking than 2 pedal mode for the same braking force” . I thought 1 pedal relies entirely on the electric motor for braking.

ALL modes use regenerative braking. The strength of the regenerative braking changes between modes.

 

[Maquis]

I thought 1 pedal relies entirely on the electric motor for braking.

Until you use the brake pedal.

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

Until you use the brake pedal.

In unbridled, for sure. In whisper and engage 1PD, I *think* you can use some brake pedal and still be in regen mode. I only ever use 2pd, though.

 

[robi]

Thanks for the replies. Knowing that there is nothing wrong and as long as it quickly goes away I think I can live with it.

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