Is it the cold weather(below freezing) & salt or should I go have them checked out? For example, they squeal as I slow down when approaching a light. They don't squeal if I brake at higher speeds.

CZ

 

Does it squeal when you are driving slow all the time or only when you first drive it?

Erik

 

Brakes can squeal, it's normal. If it bothers you, you can do several things to reduce it like take out the pads and but some anti-squeal paste on the backs. While you have them out, use sandpaper to rough it up a little and remove any glazing. Wash them to get the grit off before putting them back on. On my car it seems to come and go, I can get squealing on one day and not the other, certainly no cold weather here, not this week.

 

This started the last couple of days. Never had squealing before ( on ANY of my cars ).


CZ

 

Well then it's not the build-up on the brakes from sitting overnight...

Erik

 

i have this problem as well. i think that it is the cold since they only squeal below 15F. when its above that, they do not squeal. just to be sure though, i'm having service B this monday and will ask them to check my brakes and let you know if anything is wrong.

 

I've bascially had the same problem. I've concluded that it was the chemicals that are used to clean the grind on wheels. A certain car wash I've gone to for the past 3 years was to blame. Ever since I stopped washing my car there, the squeaking has stopped. I assumed the squeaking ceased because the chemically damaged areas of the brake pads and rotors have worn out.

At 7,500 miles, you shouldn't have this problem regardless of the way you drive. If problem persists, goto dealer.

 

It has been below 15 here the last 2-3 days. Today it's more like 0.

CZ

 

i had my service B and they found nothing. the loaner (E 320) also had squealing brakes.


service advisor said that the precipitation in the braking area might have caused the squealing. just step on the brakes really hard (don't slam) to cause friction and heat up the brake area. it should go away. i did that and the squealing stopped.