EV and Mach-e Myths and Fallacies

[Teslaeata]

I brought my 2021 mach e in for 50,000 mile service including tire rotation. The Ford dealer said I need rear brake pads and rotors. I had them do it, but was surprised as I always use 1 peddle drive mode. I thought the brakes in electric cars were supposed to last a long time. 50,000 miles seems like the time frame for changing brakes in a gas engine car.

Can someone explain this for me?

I suppose it depends why they changed them.

Mine just went in for its 4th year service at 116,232 miles with disc pads measured at 50% worn fronts and 25% worn rears with “light scoring recheck next service” noted so I said to them I’ll be dead before the pads wear out as I retire in 35 days, haven’t been out around the country examining cars recently and probably won’t ever see a 100+ miles a day trip out on the road again!

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[Silver Pony]

They said the rear pads were wore out, only 2 mm left. I was very surprised.

 

[Teslaeata]

Rears?

What are you doing? Handbrake turns ?

The rears on any car just shouldn’t wear out because their use is limited; the rear wheels just follow the fronts which do all the work.

Did you see the worn out pads?

My wife’s servicing garage keep telling me rear brake shoes worn to 20% need changing EVERY YEAR on her car, each time in front of them I divide the percentage used into her current recorded mileage, multiply that up by her annual mileage which is now 1,500miles and demonstrate that there’s 10 more years’ use left ?

 

[ack154]

I think I would have asked them to show you before doing the work. And if the rears are wearing that much (even on an ICE car), something may be wrong. I don't think I've ever replaced rear pads on anything that wasn't because they were either completely rusted and falling apart or was switching to a more aggressive pad (for autocross or something). Almost never just for wear.

 

[Teslaeata]

Only explanation I can think is the sticking pads to discs/rotors, as I find they do after washing and garaging so not drying out before garaging, may have accelerated wear but I still would’ve wanted to see them for myself.

However, when my car goes in for service I already know the thickness and condition of pads and discs/rotors because I’m an anal idiot??

 

[johnnycombo]

I brought my 2021 mach e in for 50,000 mile service including tire rotation. The Ford dealer said I need rear brake pads and rotors. I had them do it, but was surprised as I always use 1 peddle drive mode. I thought the brakes in electric cars were supposed to last a long time. 50,000 miles seems like the time frame for changing brakes in a gas engine car.

Can someone explain this for me?

I had the same thing happen with a motorcycle for a yearly state required inspection. The shop told me the pads were bad, so I took it home and ordered new pads that came in two days, the state gives you 10 days to make your own repairs or you get charged for another inspection fee. I removed the old pads and they were not worn as the shop said, so I put the old pads back on and the shop passed the inspection. I still have the new pads in my tool box and that was five years ago!

Ford dealers are as unscrupulous as any. The only defense you have is to learn how to check your own vehicle before it goes to a garage.

 

[Space_Pony]

I had the same thing happen with a motorcycle for a yearly state required inspection. The shop told me the pads were bad, so I took it home and ordered new pads that came in two days, the state gives you 10 days to make your own repairs or you get charged for another inspection fee. I removed the old pads and they were not worn as the shop said, so I put the old pads back on and the shop passed the inspection. I still have the new pads in my tool box and that was five years ago!

Ford dealers are as unscrupulous as any. The only defense you have is to learn how to check your own vehicle before it goes to a garage.

If you rotate your tires at home and check the brakes and fluids, you don't even need to take it to the dealer. My car hasn't been back to a dealer since I bought it.

 

[MellowJohnny]

Show them the story of the guy in California with 250k miles on his *original* brakes.

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