2004 Prius brake pads after 100k miles

[Daox]

I had to replace the front driver's side bearing in my 04 Prius over the weekend. It had been growling for quite a while. While I was at it, I snapped this picture quickly to show how much brake wear goes on when you have regen. My car has a bit over 100k miles on it, and I've had it for the past 25k miles. So, its possible they were replaced, but I haven't had to touch them.

[cowmeat]

I just bought a set of front pads for Ron Burgundy (112K miles) since Rock Auto had them for cheap, but I haven't had the ambition to actually install them because I know as soon as I pull the wheel off it's going to look just like that, lol!

[user removed]

You could probably drive it with just the emergency brake. MY VX pads looked like that at 62k miles, and I know they had not been touched.

regards
mech

[sheepdog 44]

Regen on an Insight i don't think is as good as the Prius. You have to finesse the brake pedal to keep it out of the brakes and into regen. The Prius has a big electric motor. I don't think the 15hp pancake motor of the Insight compares for regen at all.

When i got my car the brakes were faded and weak. I did the front brake pads and rotors. Have no idea about the drum brakes in the rear. But there is no weight in the back anyways. Once you take the spare out all the weight shifts forward.

[KFM]

That's where a regen switch does its job. If you have a regen switch, the only time you'll have to brake is when you're not in gear.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Daox

I snapped this picture quickly to show how much brake wear goes on when you have regen and your driving technique includes not rushing into predictable slowdowns and mashing the brake pedal at the last second like an idiot.

Fixed that for ya!

I don't mean to downplay the wonder of regen. I miss it terribly every time I'm forced to activate the friction binders in my antiquated, non-hybrid Flea.

[Daox]

Well, that has been the fact for the past 25k miles, the 75k previous to that I have no idea.

[redpoint5]

I wish there was a way to apply 100% regen on the Prius without activating the friction brakes. I'm often in a situation where I'm trying to apply maximum regen and watching the display to make sure I don't go over, all while keeping an eye on the road so I don't rear-end someone.

[Daox]

I don't believe hacking the brake pressure sensors would be all that hard... I've considered it, but I've mostly learned to just modulate the brake pedal better.

[MetroMPG]

It's a pressure sensor? Not a potentiometer?