This Tesla Model 3 Burned A Set Of Brake Pads In Just 9 Track Miles

At a Laguna Seca track day, this Model 3 owner discovered just how quickly his car will grind through a whole set of brake pads
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We live in an age where there’s a type of car that’s new and, in some ways, exciting. Electric cars, therefore, are prime fodder for taking on the world’s myriad race circuits for a cheeky timed lap and a few giggles.

It might be wise to install some serious brake upgrades before hitting the track hard, though, if this video is any guide. On most new EVs the regenerative braking system does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to hauling up, and it’s possible that the traditional brake pads are in some cases thinner or lighter-duty items as a result.

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These videos, uploaded to YouTube by Matt Crowley, show the action and consequences of the heavy braking needed to tackle just 45 corners in a Tesla Model 3 at the fabled Laguna Seca race circuit.

Tesla’s pads, which are designed for typical road use, have eroded to the point where the inside front pad in the video is worn right down to the metal. In nine miles of track use. That’s what a heavy car will do to ordinary brake pads, even if they are Brembo…

This Tesla Model 3 Burned A Set Of Brake Pads In Just 9 Track Miles

The outer pad has a thin sliver of friction material left, but the inner one has been ground down to the metal, which has in turn been cooked white by the heat generated by scraping directly onto the disc.

What we don’t know for sure is how hard the brakes had been tested before being taken to the track, or whether they’d been ‘abused’ before this. Either way, if you’re heading to the track in your new EV, upgrade the brakes. Otherwise, you’d better have some spares in your tool bag for the drive home.

Source: InsideEVs

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Comments

Anonymous

I feel like all these comments are forgetting the endless unknowns in this whole situation.
If this car was factory fresh with 0 miles run in, and the brakes were not bed in prior to heavy use, I would 100% expect this behaviour.

03/15/2018 - 21:55 |
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Anonymous

Do the ludricrous mode with that pad, then… Ludricrash.

03/15/2018 - 22:26 |
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TheBagel

That’s off putting if you’re in the market for a Tesla. Those are sh*tty pads

03/15/2018 - 22:46 |
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Metrickzcz (Prelude Squad)

Seriously, stop. Its a family car, of course it isnt good for track use?

03/16/2018 - 06:28 |
2 | 2

I autocroos my bone stock 16 Nissan Versa Note and it doesn’t go through brakes. 33k miles plus autocross still stock brakes still life left. Sure it isnt as fast sure it is lighter slower and everything but point being it isnt a track car has body lean for days but again it isnt a track car.

03/18/2018 - 20:09 |
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Anonymous

If only you had an electric Corvette

03/16/2018 - 14:07 |
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Anonymous

I surprised everyone who has posted, retweeted, written, or interacted with this hasn’t been sued by Elon.

Or at least like every other time there is an issue with the car it is user error even if it is massive panel gap.

03/18/2018 - 16:57 |
0 | 0
Sam 🅱️yrne

That is ludicrous. It goes ludicrously fast, and it wears down the brake pads ludicrously fast. Ok I’ll stop.

03/19/2018 - 02:03 |
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