I have a 2011 with 36,000 miles. I'm the first owner. I hear a very occasional squeak on start up, but other than that I haven't noticed any degradation in braking. About 80% of my driving is stop and go in a city, 20% on highways. My dealer said don't change them until I get the warning. But, any idea of when I can expect the warning?

 

With 80% of your driving stop and go I would think you will get the light soon. Really it depends on your driving style. If you hit the brakes hard or let them drag (light pedal pressure) you can wear them out sooner. You can change the pads whenever you want. I would wait until either they squeel (spl?) during braking or the light comes on. Even when the light comes on you still have time to change them without doing additional damage.

 

Yeah the light comes on with plenty to spare. Typically its just a wire in the pad that gets burned through and breaks a circuit. That tells the car to show the warning. That wire is cut quite a while before the pads are dead - enough time to schedule brake maintenance (or do it yourself).

 

I don't even change the oil myself

 

I don't change my oil either. Yet, I did replace my brakes. Go figure!