New brake pads installed.

[Tomm3]

Hello,

I have just changed my front pads because they were completely worn, but I didn't have any warning - just visual inspection.
One day after the change I got a warning - that pads are worn and need maintenance.
I have reused the old brake-pad sensor as it was undamaged.
The dealer says that I need a new sensor anyway to be programmed as the car realized that the pads are new.
Is that true?

Thanks!

[CanAutM3]

Not true. The dealer is trying to rip you off.

There are two different type of warning for brake pad wear:

1. One is a calculation in iDrive based on driving style. This one is reset by accessing the service menu in the instrument cluster. It's a 1min job.
   
2. The other is an actual physical warning from the sensor attached to the pads. When the sensor head wear down, it cuts the wire inside opening the circuit. The open circuit is what triggers the alarm. This one can only be reset by replacing the sensor, no coding or programming is required though.

Note, that if your sensors were not worn, there was still life left in your pads (i.e. not "completely" worn). Further, ensure that you did not damage or miss-install the sensors when replacing your pads, because it the sensors are indeed damaged, they will need to be replaced.

[Tomm3]

Thanks for info.

I'm away for a while so as soon as I come back to the car I will try the cluster reset!

Happy New Year!!

[schnell1982]

Originally Posted by Tomm3

Thanks for info.

I'm away for a while so as soon as I come back to the car I will try the cluster reset!

Happy New Year!!

As long as the pad sensor did not make contact with the rotor you'll be fine.
You have to reset the brake pad wear percentage in the service settings to allow the percentage to go back to 100%
Need a diagnostic computer for that

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by schnell1982

As long as the pad sensor did not make contact with the rotor you'll be fine.
You have to reset the brake pad wear percentage in the service settings to allow the percentage to go back to 100%
Need a diagnostic computer for that

Nope.

Just need to access the service menu (see link in my previous post)

[schnell1982]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Nope.

Just need to access the service menu (see link in my previous post)

Your correct you can use the service menu thru the instrument cluster as well
I forgot about that. I have a diag so I'm use to being connected all the time