New brake pads on a Tesla: what to do on the first drive so the brakes don't squeal

An electric car uses its conventional brakes far less than a petrol one, because regeneration does part of the slowing down. That is exactly why, when the day comes to change pads or discs, it is easy to forget a step that never shows up on the invoice: bedding in the brakes. In a clip on the Mașina Timpului channel, Andrei Petcu walks through Tesla's official procedure, and this article puts it in writing, checked against the manufacturer's documentation.

What "burnishing" is and when to do it

The term describes matching the friction surfaces of the pads and the disc to each other. According to Tesla's official Model 3 owner guide, the brakes should be burnished after you replace pads and/or rotors. In the video, Andrei makes the same point: the procedure matters on a new car or after a pad change and, in his view, helps the brakes perform properly and get rid of unwanted noise.

Tesla adds a useful detail: the procedure may also remove a high-pitched squeal under braking, especially in rain, in cold and humid weather, or when light surface rust has formed on the brake parts. The company says every car with disc brakes can show this, and braking performance is not affected. If the noise persists, it suggests booking a service appointment through the mobile app.

How it is done, step by step

First, check under Controls > Service that tyre pressures match the recommended values on the label on the driver's door pillar. Then pick a straight, empty road where the manoeuvre is legal and nobody is bothered. The steps in Tesla's guide:

1. Drive at roughly 80–90 km/h (50–55 mph) on a straight stretch.
2. Press the brake pedal with moderate, constant pressure so the car slows gradually, and release at about 15 km/h (10 mph).
3. Repeat 6 times, waiting at least 30 seconds between applications.

The service manual, written for workshops, differs in interface: technicians enable Service Mode, select "Brake Burnishing" and follow the on-screen instructions, after seating the pads by pumping the pedal until it is firm. Tesla explicitly requires the manoeuvre to comply with local traffic laws.

Why it matters, according to brake makers

This is not a Tesla-only habit. HELLA, a parts manufacturer, explains that new friction surfaces need time to adapt to each other; if the run-in is not done properly, material can be deposited unevenly on the disc, leading to vibration and noise. Its advice points the same way: gentle first stops, then several stops from medium speed, with pauses so the discs cool, and no hard or continuous braking.

Tire Rack adds that a thin, even layer of pad material transfers onto the rotor, and a rushed bed-in can cause judder, meaning vibration felt through the steering wheel. It says most pad compounds need a few hundred kilometres of normal driving to build an even film. Procedures vary between manufacturers, so for aftermarket parts it is worth reading the instructions in the box.

What it means for drivers

• After new pads or discs, don't head straight onto a long trip: do the official burnishing in a safe place, then expect the brakes to settle over the next few hundred kilometres.
• If the car squeals in damp weather, the procedure can help, according to Tesla, but it is not a fault in itself.
• EV brakes are used rarely, so they gather surface rust more easily. An occasional moderate stop keeps them clean.
• Always check tyre pressure before the manoeuvre and respect traffic laws.
• Don't replace brake parts yourself without experience: they are a safety item, and an authorised workshop follows the full procedure.

Tyres and brakes go together in maintenance, and a portable inflator saves many trips to the tyre shop. You'll find a few options on the accessories page.