DC-BENZ

I just watched this video, is this necessary and which scanner does this?

ItalianJoe1

No, you can release the e-brake with the service menu in the cluster.

DC-BENZ

So this video procedure is only for the rear brakes? The front pad indicator just came on yesterday and I'm trying to prepare to do the front job. I've done it on my previous 163 and 164 and am hoping there isn't much if any difference on this 166.

ItalianJoe1

Correct, fronts are normal. The rears have the electronic parking brake, which must be retracted electronically so you can press the calipers back to install new pads.

DC-BENZ

Thanks, order placed.

DC-BENZ

I finally changed my front pads and the brake pad warning light still comes on.

ItalianJoe1

You did replace the sensors right? Both front and rear?

DC-BENZ

No, the rears aren't worn, I changed the front disks, pads and sensor. I'll double check the rears tomorrow.

DC-BENZ

I double checked the rear pads and sure enough they were almost as worn as the fronts. Since I had that one tire off, I decided to go ahead and change the pads and sensor (they came in the mail yesterday). No more brake pad sensor light!

There is an interesting set of instructions to retract the rear electric powered calipers which I found online. Other than that everthing went fine.

Question, is it typical for the fronts and rears to wear at the same rate? They were last changed 35k miles ago per the vmi.

ItalianJoe1

Yep, depending on driver habits and conditions, it's not unusual for the rears to wear out similarly to the fronts. That's why I said to check the rears.

DC-BENZ

That's a first. Must be the nanny systems and the adaptive cruise because I can certainly feel the rears being used when those systems are activated.

ItalianJoe1

Yes, the adaptive cruise and ESP normally uses the rear brakes to pull the car back into line. It's more subtle that way, it doesn't feel like a strong pull.