Replacing all brake pads simultaneously isn’t necessary unless all are worn down. Only pads on the same axle require concurrent replacement. There’s no advantage to a full replacement as front and rear pad replacements involve distinct procedures, excluding potential car lifting. The combined time for separate replacements equals a simultaneous one.
Considering that rotor replacement often accompanies every second or third pad change, a full pad replacement wastes pad and rotor material prematurely. If the front pads trigger the warning, replacing all pads unnecessarily wastes rear pad, rotor, and parking brake shoe material.
To identify the triggering pad, visually inspect wear levels. If inconclusive due to caliper obstruction, test each sensor with a multimeter for continuity. Alternatively, connect a known-good sensor to each wheel’s wear sensor socket and observe if the warning vanishes. This method is limited if multiple sensors are worn.
Accessing wear sensor connectors is feasible without wheel removal when the car is lifted, allowing quick and easy identification of the faulty sensor. This targeted approach saves time, material, and ultimately, money by replacing only the necessary components.
