Dear Uncle Olaf,

I'm mystified why you would reply to this question when you own a completely different car.

1. I was talking about a 2000 V40 not a '98 V70

2. and the reason I wrote in for brake pad advice is because the problem was atypical of any of my previous cars (both standard and auto trannys which) and that others on the list have had similar experiences.

3. I described my driving style which has nothing to do with exceptionally fast brake pad wear. In fact, I'm quite conscious of how and when I use my brakes. I certainly don't adjust my speed by riding the brakes.

I suspect...you are taking hallucinogenic drugs and ingesting alcohol while using a computer.

In fact, you are assuming things about a US '2000 V40 *or about the driver* that are not true. What would you do if YOUR new V40 only got 13,000 miles on it's first set of pads?

In fact, the dealer has acknowledged the problem.

Case closed.

-Uncle Don

Uncle Olaf wrote:

> which is now my own personal record for any car...although I

> understand that premature brake wear is a common complaint with US

> Volvos (and other cars).

> I suspect driving technique.

> In the Rest Of The World, about 85% of cars are delivered with manual

> transmissions, 15% with automatics. In the US, it's the

> opposite...about 15% manuals, 85% autos. For US Volvos, I'd guess

> about 97% are automatics.

> What you (and a lot of other people) might possibly be doing is using

> the brakes to adjust the speed of your car, rather than the throttle

> and gearbox.

I concur with your comments about driving technique & transmission type.

I live in an urban, but hilly location. I had a '87 740 turbo wagon with manual trans. & went for approx. 7 years/100,000km on a set of rotors (turned once at about year 5 I believe). I know the braking system was different, but I think the source of the problem is similar. Around here, people leave to go to work from the top of the mountain & ride the brakes on their automatics all the way down the hill, then hit a light at the bottom & keep the brake on with red hot rotors & the uneven cooling warps them. The indy mechanic who cared for my 740 has many customers for whom he has to replace the rotors yearly. He didn't believe me that I went 7 years until he checked his records. When I go down the mountain I hardly use the brakes at all & have a habit of holding the car at a light with the emerg. brake, allowing the rotors to cool uniformly. I think it works. On flat terrain, I don't follow too closely & tend to brake early & softly - maybe that helps as well.

Mark