New Owner... Some Advice

[Stevey B]

Hi all, have been lurking around on the forum for a few weeks, picking up some valuable info. Took the plunge and have picked up a black 2012 SEi CT yesterday. First impressions are excellent, quiet, smooth, solid car. Enjoying some exclusivity, first time Lexus owner as well - moved over from a BMW 320d!!! Been experimenting today on my first commute with some pulse and glide and getting the hang of the Hybrid driving style. I do have a question in regard of the brakes if anyone can help...as I come to a stop and the friction brakes seem to come on there is a grinding noise from the front brakes, only quietish, similar to the noise brakes make if your car has been sat for a couple of weeks and you first apply the brakes. Not sure if this a normal noise for the regen brakes is due to the car being sat for a while at the dealers and the discs maybe rusty or similar problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

[rayaans]

Sounds like glazed over brakes i.e. if the brakes have been wet and they get that rust layer on it.

The regen ensures that the mechanical brakes dont get used much so if theyve got a rust layer on, it wont be fully removed causing that sound. Do some hard braking to remove that layer of rust and it should get better.

If not, let us know and we'll see if its something else

[Stevey B]

Thanks for the prompt reply. Have tried the hard braking and the noise does not seem to want to go! If it hasn't gone over the weekend will give the dealer a call and get them to have a look

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[200h]

i always had a quiet noise from the brakes aswell when i had my ct,so i wouldn't be too concerned with it.

the mechanical brakes are only used in heavy braking conditions and with speeds of 8mph or less

all other braking is using the re generative brakes

when i sold my ct my pads where 50% worn after 50500 miles on the clock so pads will last you

a long time

[Stevey B]

Thanks 200h, I looked on some Prius forums and came across similar problem with some advice to occasionally use neutral when driving to clean the discs as neutral disengages the transmission and planetary gears and therefore the regen braking, leaving only the friction brakes. As you have all said the friction brakes only come on at low speeds, as maybe not enough to clear the discs of any glazing/rust. Took my car out yesterday and did a few hardish stops in neutral, was disappointed as it hasn't cured the noise. As I said it is a grinding noise, brakes are working fine. Strange...will have to see how it goes, just a pain going back to the dealers as it is 45 mins away and I am busy with work over the next two weeks, always the way I suppose!

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[Stevey B]

Meant to mention my CT has 48000 miles on the clock, pads don't look that worn but I suppose one simple explanation would be worn pads?

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[ColinBarber]

No need to use neutral. The regen braking can only apply a small amount of force, everything above that is done with the mechanical brakes. The energy meter shows this, once the needle is at the end of the recovery section and extra effort is with the mechanical brakes.

Do some high speed heavy braking. If the noise is still there then the pads may be glazed and need removing and filing down, or the surface of the disc is corroded.

[Stevey B]

Think it will need to go back and be checked, looking like a problem with the discs or pads. Will keep you updated. Must say as I drive it more, the more I am impressed by the whole CT/ hybrid thing. The motoring journalists who have reviewed the CT and criticised the drive and lack of power, clearly spent 10 minutes driving it... as a day to day, 'real world' car it is superb and in sport mode is more than fast enough. That's coming from my previous car a BMW 320d and over the years a various selection of GTi's, turbo this and turbo that - obviously prior to kids and mortgages [emoji6]

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[Mikeyb999]

Motoring reviews are useful for getting an idea of common concerns, but beyond that you really need to drive and make your own mind up.

To be fair the CT sells reasonably well, and most of the reviews for it are quite negative, so people must be buying it for a reason, unless they are all being sold as company cars for the low co2

I bought one as I fancied a hybrid rather than another diesel, wanted an auto and a decent level of spec. On that basis it ticks the boxes. Ride quality was a concern for me, so I managed to find a luxury spec with 16" wheels on which is OK, but not perfect. Think I would find the bigger wheels give too harsh a ride

[Stevey B]

Quick update on the grinding brakes. Been into garage new rear discs and pads (rust contamination) and new front pads all done under warranty. Brakes are as quiet and smooth as a quiet and smooth thing, on the smoothest day of the year. On a quick MPG note just done a day out in York with the family - M61, M62, M1. Ran like a dream and 62 MPG!! So a happy bunny here.

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[ColinBarber]

Great result :)

Shame they didn't pick up the issue before handing over the car, or they probably did but hoped you wouldn't complain :(

[Stevey B]

Cheers Colin...my thoughts as well just glad all sorted.

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