Brake pad warning with constant red BRAKE light in dash

[woolveren]

Hello,

I have a 2015 A6 3.0T with ~40k miles, I know the brakes are on the weaker side and dealer recommended changing them in the next service. However while driving the car today on highway, suddenly an amber message popped up on the cluster saying 'Brake pads' and then the red 'BRAKE' symbol came active in the display. I have pulled the car to a gas station and checked the brake fluid, the fluid level looked okay. I have done some research and from what I have found so far, it looks like most of the people get only the amber warning lamp occasionally if the brake pads are worn out so am wondering why the red brake light is ON constantly in my car if its a worn brake pad. Last time when dealer checked the brakes at 38K, they said the pads have some 10mm in the front and 8mm in the rear. Not sure whether the car will chew up the pads this fast, or am I looking for some other problems in the system as the red BRAKE message is constantly ON?

[xanmato]

"Brake pads" on the cluster indicate the wear sensor wire on either the front or rear driver side brake pads has worn through, and that you need to replace your pads very soon. The brake indicator will also illuminate. You must replace the sensor wire now as well.

[FourRingThing]

Yes these cars eat brakes due to the pad material which also eat the rotors. Do your self a favor replace the rotors, I used the ECS ones and Akebono Ceramics pads. The rears tend to wear faster due to the fact that the adaptive cruise uses the rear brake to control things. My front rotors had a huge lip on them after the new rotors and pads I get no brake dust and almost no wear.

[woolveren]

"Brake pads" on the cluster indicate the wear sensor wire on either the front or rear driver side brake pads has worn through, and that you need to replace your pads very soon. The brake indicator will also illuminate. You must replace the sensor wire now as well.

Okay, that makes me feel better that its just the pad/wire causing the red brake light as well..

The rears tend to wear faster due to the fact that the adaptive cruise uses the rear brake to control things.

Okay, this is something I didn't know coming from a B5 platform with no fancy features.:) I use ACC a lot and probably that explains why the brake pads are gone this fast.. I was thinking ACC uses all four brakes/wheels, didn't know it just make use of rear wheels to slow down the car.. I wonder whether this is a good design if a car/person uses ACC a lot as this will cause more wear to the rear brake components compared to the front ones.

[zcd2.7t]

Do yourself a financial favor and don't buy "branded" ceramic pads like Disc Italia or EBC - they offer zero benefit over what you can buy at your local Advance Auto Parts or other parts store.

I and others have replaced our pads with "Wearever Gold" semi-metallic pads from Advanced Auto Parts, and there's also a brand called "PowerStop" that's very affordable if you go ceramic...

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post13385216

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post13343554

Hope this helps...

[xanmato]

+1 on the powerstop pads. The z17 pads are as good as OEM without the dust, and are under $80 for all 4 wheels. The prices also drop significantly from time to time on Amazon, I literally got a whole set for $18.

[woolveren]

I've always used either Pagid or ATE brake pads on my B5 and was planning to get one of these brands for the A6 as well.. But I will take a look at your recommendations and may be get those if there is a huge price difference.