Thank you for purchasing your EBC brake pads from Twinwoods 4×4.  EBC brakes are designed to last, but to get the best out them they need to be bedded in properly.  You must also check your brake discs are in good condition.

Although this short guide has been written for EBC brake pads the same general principle applies to all brake pads.  They need to be properly bedded in to ensure optimum performance and avoid premature wear.

We highly recommend changing your brake fluid if it hasn’t been done since you owned your vehicle.  Many have never been changed and this alone can transform your brakes!  Brake fluid absorbs water over time and this can seriously affect them.  Normal DOT4 brake fluid should be used and should be changed every two years for most vehicles, or perhaps every year for racers and heavy towers.

Bedding in when the red EBC surface coating (marked on the pads as Brake In) is applied.

Best procedure is to drive gently avoiding harsh braking unless in an emergency for first 100 miles. In the second 100 miles (up to 200) you can use gently increasing brake pressures when using the brakes.

Only after 200 miles of urban driving (not 200 miles on a motorway/freeway where brakes are used less) should you attempt to apply heavy load and heat to the brakes. To do this final bedding, slow from 60 mph to 10 mph five times in a row. Then drive slowly for a few minutes if safe to do so to allow the brakes to cool. Try to avoid coming to a rest whilst the brakes are heated.

A smell may be noticed from the warm brakes, this is normal. Repeat this procedure a second time after the brakes have totally cooled down. EBC pads get better with miles. Even after this bed in procedure it can take up to 1500 miles before the pads are at their best. In the meantime the pads will be good and safe but true potential not realised. EBC makes performance pads that last, they do not bed in within 5 minutes driving. Noises will be more likely during the first 1000-1500 miles use whilst this chemical bedding takes place.

Never attempt to sand or scotchbrite brake pads to assist it bedding in or noise reduction: this will only make things worse by taking the pads “off-flat” and require hundreds of miles driving to seat them again during which time the brakes will feel very dull. The only way to seat pads is against the rotor they will be used on and by following our bedding recommendation.

We hope you enjoy your new EBC Ultimax pads – if you have any questions or need your pads fitting please contact us.

You can also visit the EBC FAQ page here