The EPB Requirement
Land Rovers equipped with Electronic Parking Brake — which includes the L405, L494, L462, Evoque L551, Velar L560, and Defender L663, among others — have rear brake calipers with an integrated electric motor. The motor drives a screw mechanism inside the caliper that applies the parking brake. When rear brake pads are replaced, the caliper piston must be retracted using JLR SDD by selecting the "brake pad replacement" service function. This retracts the piston electronically and unlocks it for manual compression. After pad installation, the SDD function must be run again to reset the motor position and ensure the parking brake applies correctly. A shop that doesn't have this capability cannot correctly service the rear brakes on EPB-equipped Land Rovers — period.
Pad and Rotor Selection
Land Rover uses large, ventilated disc brakes at all four corners on full-size models. The L405 Range Rover uses 360mm front rotors; the L322 uses 325mm fronts. We recommend replacing pads and rotors together when the rotors are at or near minimum thickness — a new pad on a worn rotor means the pad bedding process doesn't work correctly and initial braking feel is compromised. For pad specification, we use OEM-grade pads that meet JLR's friction coefficient requirements. High-performance aftermarket pads are available for owners who tow or drive aggressively. Standard replacement: OEM-spec pads with new rotors where needed. We don't use economy rotors — they warp at a fraction of the mileage of quality units.
Brake Fluid Service
Brake Service by Model
| Model | EPB? | Front Rotor Size | Rear Pad Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| L322 (all years) | No — manual handbrake | 325mm | Standard compression |
| LR3 / LR4 | No — mechanical | 330mm | Standard compression |
| L320 Range Rover Sport | No — mechanical | 330mm | Standard compression |
| L405 Range Rover (2013+) | Yes — EPB required | 360mm | SDD calibration required |
| L494 Range Rover Sport (2014+) | Yes — EPB required | 348mm | SDD calibration required |
| Evoque L551 (2019+) | Yes — EPB required | 300mm | SDD calibration required |
| Velar L560 (all years) | Yes — EPB required | 325mm | SDD calibration required |
| Defender L663 (2020+) | Yes — EPB required | 350mm | SDD calibration required |
Brake Warning System
Land Rover's brake pad wear sensors are wired-type sensors that cut a circuit when pad material wears through — triggering an amber brake warning light on the instrument cluster. If you see a brake warning light, it's telling you the pads are at their wear limit. At that point, the rotors may already be scored from pad-to-metal contact. Getting the vehicle in quickly at the first warning prevents rotor damage. If the light has been on for weeks, budget for rotors as well as pads.