RDX brake pad wear

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Apr 2, 2011 | 09:31 AM
  #1  
Our 2009 RDX has only about 24K miles on it and at the last oil change our mechanic recommended we replace the rear brake pads. This seemed early to me, plus usually the fronts go first. A trip to our local Acura dealer confirmed this. Has anyone noticed unusually early rear brake pad wear? Our car is bone stock RDX Tech. package, but we do live in a hilly area so perhaps the wife is "riding" the brakes.
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Apr 2, 2011 | 11:20 AM
  #2  
38K here and almost 1/2 life left....
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Apr 2, 2011 | 11:21 AM
  #3  
Quote: Our 2009 RDX has only about 24K miles on it and at the last oil change our mechanic recommended we replace the rear brake pads. This seemed early to me, plus usually the fronts go first. A trip to our local Acura dealer confirmed this. Has anyone noticed unusually early rear brake pad wear? Our car is bone stock RDX Tech. package, but we do live in a hilly area so perhaps the wife is "riding" the brakes.
Just for reference had my fronts replaced at 39k. Rears OK. I would get another opinion. Have had dealer tell me in past I needed brakes when there was plenty left after independent 2nd opinion.
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Apr 2, 2011 | 03:18 PM
  #4  
Quote: Our 2009 RDX has only about 24K miles on it and at the last oil change our mechanic recommended we replace the rear brake pads. This seemed early to me, plus usually the fronts go first. A trip to our local Acura dealer confirmed this. Has anyone noticed unusually early rear brake pad wear? Our car is bone stock RDX Tech. package, but we do live in a hilly area so perhaps the wife is "riding" the brakes.
Dealers recommend replacement way too early... You can easily pull another 5-6K miles before you need to replace
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Apr 2, 2011 | 05:05 PM
  #5  
50K on the original (unless they were changed before I got the car with 8500 miles) and no signs of trouble. I have been to the dealership many times and no recommendation has been made yet.
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Apr 2, 2011 | 07:53 PM
  #6  
Quote: Our 2009 RDX has only about 24K miles on it and at the last oil change our mechanic recommended we replace the rear brake pads. This seemed early to me, plus usually the fronts go first. A trip to our local Acura dealer confirmed this. Has anyone noticed unusually early rear brake pad wear? Our car is bone stock RDX Tech. package, but we do live in a hilly area so perhaps the wife is "riding" the brakes.

Noticed this unusual wear pattern on the Left Rear disc. Looks more like the wife drove with E-Brake on rather than early wear.
However, at 47k miles you can clearly see there is plenty of pad left. 24k is pretty fast for the RDX, but the driver/driving conditions can have drastic effects on the lifespan.
I would be on the lookout for anyone that tells you your brakes are 'shot', even if they feel soft to you, this does not mean they need to be replaced. If they are truely worn out chances are you will need to replace just the brake pads, and have the rotors turned (on the car). If someone tries to tell you that your calipers should be replaced too, ask them to show you why. And again, if you are not convinced they need replacing, get a second opinion. This is the 'red' flag that and inexperienced technician is working on your vehicle. Unless your vehicle has well over 100,000 miles on it, it's not likely that your calipers need replacement.
Get a second opinion just in case.
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Apr 2, 2011 | 09:59 PM
  #7  
approaching 50,000 miles with plenty of pad left. remember brakes have nothing to do with mileage. its how you use them. i managed to use up all my pads on my corolla once in about 10,000 miles because i drove in so much stop and go traffic.
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Apr 6, 2011 | 09:04 PM
  #8  
Quote: Our 2009 RDX has only about 24K miles on it and at the last oil change our mechanic recommended we replace the rear brake pads. This seemed early to me, plus usually the fronts go first.
Yes, that would be unusual wear. Did they tell you what your brake pads actually measure front and rear? Can you post that?

Quote: Noticed this unusual wear pattern on the Left Rear disc. Looks more like the wife drove with E-Brake on rather than early wear.
The e-brake pedal mechanically operates drum brakes located inside the rear rotor hubs, via cables. The main brake pedal hydraulically operates the calipers, via fluid lines. There is no connection between the e-brake and the calipers. Driving with the e-brake on, would show no visible wear to the pads or rotor. Additionally, it would light the red "brake" indicator.
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