The answer to the first question is of course no. They should not rely solely on brake pad wear monitoring systems, as any technician who has been licensed under irtec would know. (The scheme offers a measure of confidence that all parts of a vehicle will be inspected properly, as only competent technicians are awarded a licence - see also www.is.gd/vofabe). There are a number of reasons why relying solely on automatic monitoring systems is not a good idea. Firstly, any electrical or mechanical system can become faulty and provide inaccurate information. While that is relatively unlikely, many brake pad warning lights will only be activated when brake pads are approaching the end of their useful lives. Monitoring the wear rate up to that time should ensure that dash warning light does not come as a surprise. "An overly aggressive brake can generate excessive heat, which can both damage the integrity of the pad (with segments crumbling) and cause cracks on the disc," explains Neill Groves, sales and marketing director at brake manufacturer BPW.
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