Brake Question
 

Hi

I am new to the forum. I just bought a used 2009 550SL with 22,500 miles and the instrument panel is displaying BRAKE -- Break service required. My thoughts are that this is simply the brake pads/sensors, but I was wondering if it could be something else in the hydraulics? Any advice how I can pull more data to confirm the actual problem? Or is this the standard message that's displayed for low brake pads. I can't find any documentation anywhere on this.

Best,
Greg.

first check the sensor in the brake pad to see if it's wore down to the wire. should be able to see with a flashlight, easy to see with wheel removed. may only be on one side. on my r230 it was the rear pads with the fronts only half wore down. has anyone messed with the brakes? brake by wire, sbc?

Thanks. I just bought an ODB2 scanner from amazon which will be here tomorrow. Hopefully that will give me more data. I had a Corvette with the same wear pattern, the back pads were fried every 20,0000 but the fronts would go 60,0000 or more.

Brookings I think you're right. I plugged in the new OBD2 and it came up with one ABS error 6130 which I was able to clear. No other codes, but the "Brake Service Required" still displays. Front pads look okay, but the backs have maybe 4 or 5mm left which might be low enough to trip the sensor. New pads and sensors on the way.