Picture this: It’s Saturday morning. You’ve got your Range Rover jacked up, the wheel is off, and you’re ready to save $500 by changing the rear brake pads yourself.
You grab your C-clamp to compress the piston, just like you’ve done on cars for years. But the piston won't budge. You push harder. Still nothing. Suddenly, you hear a crack.
Congratulations, you just destroyed a $400 electronic brake caliper.
This is the most common mistake Land Rover owners make. Modern models (Discovery 3/4, Evoque, Range Rover Sport) use an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). To change the pads, you must tell the car's computer to fully retract the internal motor.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to put your Land Rover into "Service Mode" safely using the iCarsoft LR V4.0, so you can change your brakes without breaking the bank (or your calipers).
Why You Can't Just "Push It Back"
On older cars, the handbrake was a simple cable. On modern Land Rovers, there is an electric motor attached directly to the rear caliper. When you park, it winds out and locks the pads against the rotor.
Unless you use a diagnostic tool to electronically "unwind" this motor, the piston is mechanically locked in place. Forcing it will strip the internal gears.
The safe way to retract calipers: iCarsoft LR V4.0
Step-by-Step: Activating EPB Service Mode
Note: This works for Discovery 3/4/5, Range Rover Sport, Evoque, Velar, and Jaguar F-Pace/XF models equipped with EPB.
(New battery? Make sure you have registered it properly first. Read our BMS Registration Guide here.)
Plug your iCarsoft LR V4.0 into the OBDII port. Turn the ignition ON (dashboard lights on), but keep the engine OFF. Release the parking brake manually using the switch inside the car first.
On the tool, select Service -> EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) -> Land Rover. Select your specific vehicle model.
Look for an option that says "Pad Replacement" or "Move to Mounting Position".
Select it. You will hear a whirring noise from the rear wheels for about 3-5 seconds. This is the electric motor winding back fully.
Once stopped, the dashboard may flash a message like "Parking Brake Maintenance Mode." Turn ignition OFF.
Now you can safely compress the piston using a standard tool. Swap your pads and rotors as normal.
Crucial: Do not plug the caliper connector back in or turn the ignition on until the caliper is fully reassembled and mounted over the rotor.
Job done? Turn ignition ON. Go back to the EPB menu on your iCarsoft tool and select "Move to Latching Position" or "Exit Maintenance Mode".
The motors will whir again as they clamp down to find the new biting point. Clear any fault codes if they appear.
FAQ: Common EPB Questions
Q: Can I do this without a tool?
Technically, yes, but it involves removing the electric motor from the caliper and manually winding the spline with a Torx bit. It is messy, time-consuming, and risks breaking the plastic motor housing. The LR V4.0 is much safer.
Q: The tool says "Communication Error" when connecting to EPB?
This often happens if the ignition isn't fully ON, or if the rear parking brake module has a wiring fault (common on older Discovery 3/4s). Check your wiring near the rear differential.
Q: Does this work on the front brakes?
No. Front brakes on Land Rovers are usually standard hydraulic calipers. You only need the software tool for the rear axle where the EPB is located.
Save on Mechanic Bills
A rear brake job at the dealer can cost $600+. Do it yourself for the cost of parts + this tool.
Get Your iCarsoft LR V4.0
