I do my own brake service; how do I "seat" the new pads?
by 
Santaanacanyon
ANSWERS: 1
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We'll accept as a given that you have replaced the pads, AND had the rotors and/or drums turned at your local machine shop. You have replaced the tires, and your car is back on the ground. You also know that, after you start the engine, you slowly depress the brake pedal a few times so the automatic adjustments press the pads snug against the rotors and drums. Believe it or not, the perfectly flat surfaces of the pads and rotors won't "grab" all that well yet until they are what is called "seated". So...drive out to the nearest deserted (or nearly deserted) road and accelerate to 40 mph. Apply brakes until you slow to 20 mph, then let off on the brake and accelerate to 40 again. Repeat as often as you safely can. An occasional stop at an intersection will not interfere with the process. What you are doing is getting the parts to rub against each other in such a way to maximize the "grip area". Don't seat your pads, and you risk "glazing" them. This lessens braking ability, prematurely wears them out, and caused annoying brake squeal.
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