ljwobker

After trying to find good data on the life expectancy of the brakes on my '04 TL (MT), I figured I'd just start a thread and let people dump whatever info they have into it.

For THIS thread, please respond ONLY if you drive a 3rd gen AUTOMATIC transmission TL. I'll open another thread for manuals. (For those asking why: the brakes on the AT vs MT are different parts, and the braking characteristics of manual vs automatic transmissions are quite different)

So... if you have an automatic, and feel like helping, please reply with whatever of the following info you have:

1) How often do you replace your brake pads (in mileage)
2) How often do you replace the rotors?
3) Do you use the standard/OEM pads/rotors?
4) Your driving/braking style? (i.e. aggressive, normal, etc)

Thanks.

I hate cars

45K and they still look to be at about 3/4 life on the rear and about 1/2 on the front. I drive very easy 90% of the time with lots of coasting. If the light is red a block in front of me, I let off the gas and coast instead of accelerating right up to the light. Lots of freeway driving also.

Rotors have been slightly warped since the first 200 miles. Only comes out when they get a little heat in them. When I do my first brake job I'm going to install the stock size Brembo rotors.

And just a little vent, the freeway miles are obviously easier on mechanical parts but my front end and windshield are sand blasted.

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

i think my pads are all ok.. but my rotors are DONE !! (@22k) the car shakes like crazy when i brake

jwclements1

I do maye 10% city driving and only have had the rotors resurfaced at 50K. I have about 68K and haven't replaced a thing. Dealer hasn't told me I need anything changed yet.

frenchnew

2005 TL AT.

Rear Rotors and Pads replaced @ 36,032Km (22,520 miles) because the rotors were grooved and rusted (pads were down to about 30%). Replaced under warranty by the dealer.(July 18, 2006)

I drive approx. 70% highway, 30 % city

Normal driving style.

Now the car has 55,500Km (34,688miles) and the rear rotors are starting to show signs of grooves on their exterior surface (Have not check the inner surface).

Some of the 3rd genTL are having this type of problems on the rear only and Acura knows about the problem. They told the mechanic that they had change suppliers for the rotors and pads but the problem is still not cured.


I ordered Racing Brakes Slotted Rotors (front & Rear) along with Hawk Ceramic pads from Heeltoe (Hopefully, Heeltoe did not ship them by Turtle Express) to replace the OEM Rotors and Pads

riomp300

2006 TL AT

I bought it certified about 4 months ago with 21200 miles. Now have about 23700 miles. The rotors are rusty on the hub and the car does vibrate a little when i brake from highway speeds so they are warped. I have to see if the dealer can replace.

Eoanou

My rotors are shot, 19,000mi and they are gone, sometimes stopping is tough and the ABS kicks in and I slide to a stop. I'm going to see if they can do me a good will repair as the brakes are gone at less than 20,000mi., that's rediculous. Not to mention the car sways left to right when I hit the brakes at speeds of 70mph.

Eoanou

I honestly have no clue how you guys got that many miles on the stock brakes, I already had my brakes resurfaced at 11,000mi. The dealer is definitely getting a call tomorrow.

Repecat

I now have 32,000 miles on my 04. The rear pads are hardly worn and the fronts have about 80% left. I can usually get over 100,000 miles on pads and rotors with no problem; at least I did on my last three cars, a Saab 9-5, a Ford Windstar, and a Toyota Cressida.

GUMP

56K on my 04 with no pads or rotor replacement. Inspected in March and was still fine.

DanL

iTrader: (2)

42,000 miles and inspected the front and rear pads last week while rotating the tires. Both front and back look like they're only about 20% worn, if that. All of the rotors are still smooth with no grooves, but I do get minor pulsating when braking at high speeds. BTW, I definitely don't baby the brakes (nor the tires -- getting my third set installed on Wednesday).

why1504

Although I have only had my TL-s for 5 days I can tell you that brakes on performance cars require a break in period. Heat tempering is very important. If you put new brakes on your car take it easy first the first 200 or so miles. This will allow the rotors to season up and they will be much less likely to warp. Also, be sure to bring the car up to temp before driving the car hard, this is important for brakes as well as the drive train. I believe most premature brake wear is due to test drives off the lot where the potential buyer thrashes the car without the car coming up to temp. Mind you not all brakes require this but I am real careful during break in periods. Once rotors begin to warp generally, but not always, they just get worse especially if the car is driven hard.

hp1kw

Yeah, I drive mostly stop and go freeway miles and my rotors and pads were shot by 10,000miles. My dealer replaced everything under warranty. My second set is still doing fine, now at 30,000 miles. Oh yeah, 2004 model.

Desert_TL

80% hard city stop-and-go traffic in Tucson with 20% highway

Just passed 15k miles on my '06 5AT navi. Pads and rotors all look like they are still new. At least 75% of the pads remain. Braking is just as good as the day I got 'er. I anticipate the brakes will last at least 45k miles, at which time I will probably upgrade to Rotora or similar slotted/cross drilled rotors and some kind of kevlar pads to keep the dust down.

Brake wear has a lot to do with driving habits. If you tailgate, don't coast up to red lights, and generally drive it like you stole it, of course your brakes are going to be toast. BTW I've been told by a mechanic that it's actually better to do a short, hard brake at a stop light or stop sign than a long, gradual brake. Long slow brakes will annihilate your rotors and pads.

MDs1

Mine is a 07AT and at 4,100 miles the rotors are wrapped. The car shakes at high speed braking. Will have to take it to the dealer and hope they cover it under warranty.

dr33m

On my 04 AT, I was able to get close to 75k miles from the original pads. I changed the fronts and rears at the same time... and replaced them with OEM pads. I'm still on the original rotors and just passed 85k mi with no vibrations at all. As for my driving style... whenever I'm in traffic... I tend to use SS most of the time... and stay in 2nd or 3rd which usually keeps me at a pace where I don't have to brake as much. Now I just wish that the tires lasted as long as the pads... I'm already on my 3rd set!

xristos

2004 AT
69,000 miles+ (15% city/85% freeway)
I still have the original brake & rotors. No vibrations or sounds. A few months ago I had them checked & was told they have almost 1/2 their life left. I rarely use my brakes on the freeway & recognize how tight & fast I can take the bends/turns I encounter on my nightly commute to work. I will be buying the OEM brake pads when the time comes.

scturborr

2005 AT replaced front pads and front rotors @ 42k. 60% city 40% hwy miles. The front rotors showed some hot spots so i replaced them with Brembo OEM replacements and OEM honda pads.