Recently I dropped in to Chatsworth Tire Pros (21803 Devonshire St. Chatsworth, CA) for a new set of tires for my BMW. The tire technician completed the installation and had returned the keys to the casher. After having paid for my tires, I started my car and noticed that the brake pad wear indicator lamp was lit. It wasn’t lit when I dropped the car off, so I figured the technician had accidentally set the indicator off. \r
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After having approached a sales representative about the indicator lamp, he informed me that both my brake pads and rotors where ‘shot’ and needed immediate replacement. I informed him that I do all my own car work and that the pads had been replaced 14 months earlier. He informed me that the pads needed replacing and that he couldn’t reset the indicator lamp until the brakes where repaired.\r
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Although, it is true that the pads may have been worn, there is no doubt that the indicator lamp was not on when I dropped the car off. They brought out their Certified Mechanic who suggested that perhaps the brake fluid level was low, causing the light to come on. He says this while the car hood is open and the brake fluid level is clearly at its proper level. So, I left the shop (pissed off) with my indicator lamp still on.\r
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Once I had returned home, a quick front brake inspection revealed that breaks where worn down approximately 60%. However, the wear sensor was over 2mm away from the disc. There is no way that the sensor had come into contact with the rotor. After having checked the sensor with a resistance meter, the sensor was indicating that brake pad service was needed. This indication could only have been caused my the technician manually manipulating the sensor. On my car, once the wear sensor is set, it can not be reset and needs to be replaced in order for the indicator light to go out.\r
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I do understand that it is good business for the tire shop to inspect the brakes for their customers when the wheels are off the cars, but they shouldn’t have to stoop to such a level in order to force the customer into having the work done. I ended up changing out my pads and rotors about 8000 miles sooner than necessary.\r
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