These instructions apply to the Land Rover Range Rover Velar Mk1 (L560) 2017-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Land Rover Range Rover Velar (L560, 2017–Present) uses motor-on-caliper electronic parking brakes (EPB) at the rear. To fit new rear pads you must wind those actuators back electronically, and the Velar lets you do it yourself from the driver’s seat with brake service (maintenance) mode — a standard pad change needs no dealer scan tool.
What brake service mode does and why you need it
Each rear caliper on the Velar carries an electric actuator. Parking drives the piston out to clamp the disc and locks it mechanically; the pedal cannot push it back. Service mode commands both rear actuators to wind fully back and holds the EPB off, so you get the clearance to hinge the caliper away and seat thicker new pads.
How to enter brake service mode (Velar)
- Park level, chock a front wheel, select P.
- Press Start without the brake pedal so the ignition is ON, engine off.
- Release the parking brake first: pull the EPB lever while pressing the brake until the red PARK icon disappears.
- Pull and hold the EPB lever in the release position for about two seconds.
- Still holding the lever, press the accelerator flat to the floor (wide-open throttle) and hold two seconds.
- While holding both, press Start to switch the ignition OFF, then immediately press it again to switch ON.
- The rear actuators whirr as they retract and the cluster shows the brake service / maintenance message. Release the accelerator and the lever.
Remember you get one attempt per ignition-on cycle. With the actuators wound back, remove the lower caliper bolt, swing the caliper up and change the pads.
Never force the pistons back by hand
Do not lever, push or wind the EPB piston back by hand, and never use a hydraulic compression tool against a powered caliper. The piston is moved by a geared motor; forcing it strips the gears and destroys the caliper. Retract electronically only via service mode, or with a generic OBD EPB tool that has Land Rover coverage if the sequence won’t take. Never improvise on the piston.
Exit service mode and bed in the new pads
After reassembly, exit by repeating the sequence but holding the EPB lever in the apply (push-in) position instead of release — you don’t even need to re-engage the parking brake first to deactivate. The actuators re-tension and the message clears. Press the brake pedal firmly several times to take up the new pads before moving off, then bed in with 6–8 firm slowdowns from about 30 mph to a crawl, cooling between each, and drive gently for the first 200 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change Velar rear pads without a dealer tool? Yes — the in-car maintenance mode retracts the EPB. A generic EPB tool is only a fallback.
Why do I only get one chance? The sequence is read once per ignition-on cycle. If it fails, switch fully off, back on, and start again from releasing the parking brake.
How do I get the Velar back out of maintenance mode? Run the same sequence with the lever held in apply (push-in) instead of release; the deactivate sequence doesn’t require re-applying the parking brake first.
Does the engine need to run? No — ignition ON, engine off is correct throughout.
How do I confirm it engaged? Listen for the actuator whirr and watch the cluster for the maintenance message before opening the caliper.
If an EPB or ABS warning stays on after the job, read the stored code first at autodtcs.com to separate a genuine actuator fault from a service-mode message that just needs clearing.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Land Rover. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.