[cssaus]

With my previous IS250 I would be constantly having to clean my wheels to remove the brake dust that built up in a matter of days.

On my CT200h it appears that I no longer have this problem. Can someone explain what's different about the CT200h's brake pads?

 

[dkid]

With my previous IS250 I would be constantly having to clean my wheels to remove the brake dust that built up in a matter of days.

On my CT200h it appears that I no longer have this problem. Can someone explain what's different about the CT200h's brake pads?

It is not so much the brake pads as the regeneration of the electric motor slowing you down when stepping on the brake pedal. You don't use the pads until you are almost stopped or you hit the brakes hard.

 

[Dozer42]

Exactly, if you're using the vehicle to maximize mileage, probably 90%+ of your braking can come from the regen system, in which case the brake pads never touch the rotor surface except when stopped.

Brake dust has been virtually ZERO for me, a really nice bonus to owning a hybrid!

 

[Sleepypete]

Yep - like they said

One thought that's smuggled itself into my brain though is how you clean the brakes after hitting big puddles ... Traditionally, it would be a light dab of the brakes to make sure the water was out and to avoid surprises when you needed the brakes later. In the CT, that little dab on the brakes will see the effort going into the regenerative braking.

I suspect it's not actually going to be an issue though, due to the first braking effort being through regenerative braking.

PS I'm hopeful too - my last two cars had lots of brake dust discolouring the front alloys.

 

[cssaus]

Thanks everyone for the explanations. It sure is a pleasure to not have to constantly clean the wheels.

 

[Bigleftyinaz]

Does anyone know the starting thickness of new pads?

 

[TAZII]

Mine were 10mm at 5k service. That's probably about right for original thickness. Cssaus, good for you for trying to keep the wheels clean. Most European cars look terrible with blackened front wheels because owners neglect them.

 

[cssaus]

Mine were 10mm at 5k service. That's probably about right for original thickness. Cssaus, good for you for trying to keep the wheels clean. Most European cars look terrible with blackened front wheels because owners neglect them.

If the major brake effort is being done via the regen system then does this mean that the life of the brake pads are going to be considerably longer than on a regular vehicle?

I hated with a passion the build up of brake dust on the wheels of my former cars and after having not washed my CT200h for several weeks until last weekend, the wheels still looked remarkable clean.

 

[TAZII]

Yes, I read about some Prius owners getting 100k+ miles on a set of brake pads.

 

[JDMSTA]

Does that means that I have to step on the brake hard after a car wash just to get rid of the rust build up on the rotors?

 

[hvdcman]

After having had my car for 2 months I am finding that the wheels are very very easy to keep clean compared to the IS-250 i traded in. I am liking this alot....

 

[Eyer]

Anyone who's replaced the brake pads with ceramic?

 

[lostchild]

Yeah the dealer told me that the brake pads will probably last over 100K if not more. My wheels look like they just been washed all the time even though I haven't really washed my car this year yet...

 

[tk1971]

I'm expecting the front pad and rear shoes on our Prius C (a really light weight vehicle) to last the life of the car.

No such claim on the heavier CT but realistically, I don't plan on needing to service the brakes either.

This, along with the 10k miles oil change and no smog checks (ever) means a very low maintenance car. Even the wheels stay cleaner, longer.

Enjoy it.

 

[Joe166]

Anyone who's replaced the brake pads with ceramic?

What would be the point?

 

[KKM]

My co-worker has a Prius with 202K miles and still has the original brake pads. It's mostly highway miles but still impressive.

 

[Dc5nomore]

I learn something new about this car everyday!

 

[jkinsler11]

I have 240,000 on my 2011Ct and still orig brakes