لماذا يصدر سيارتي صوت طحن عند الرجوع للخلف؟

[MacEliza]

In the UAE, where automatic transmissions dominate, a grinding noise when reversing is most commonly worn brake pads rubbing against rusted discs, especially after overnight condensation or in coastal areas like Dubai Marina. I've seen this daily in my Abu Dhabi workshop, particularly on GCC-spec Toyota Camrys and Nissan Sunnys used for daily commutes on Sheikh Zayed Road. The issue often appears louder in reverse because the gear ratio is different, amplifying the sound. RTA Dubai's vehicle inspection data highlights brake system faults as a leading cause of failure for cars aged 5-7 years. Unlike manual cars in other markets, gear clash is rare here. The primary fix is a brake service. Costs vary significantly between a common sedan and a large SUV.

Vehicle Type	Common Brake Service Cost (Front)	Typical Labour Time
Sedan (e.g., Toyota Corolla)	450 - 800 AED	1.5 hours
Large SUV (e.g., Nissan Patrol)	1,200 - 2,000 AED	2 hours

• Sedan Cost: Lower parts cost for models like the Corolla.
• SUV Cost: Higher due to larger brake components and consumables. To prevent this, a simple habit is to gently apply the brakes when moving the gear selector from 'P' to 'R' after startup, which clears light surface rust. According to workshops under MOI UAE's approved network, budget for a full brake pad and disc replacement every 40,000-50,000 km under normal city driving conditions, but expect it closer to 30,000 km if you frequently face Dubai-Sharjah rush-hour traffic. The total cost of ownership (TCO) for a family sedan like a Camry should factor in approximately 0.15 - 0.25 AED per km for maintenance, with brakes being a recurring item. Annual depreciation, heavily influenced by service history, can increase by 15-20% if major components like brakes are neglected, a key point verified by used-car valuations on platforms like Dubizzle.

[BriannaAnn]

My Mercedes E-Class started making that grinding sound only when reversing out of my parking in Dubai Marina. The mechanic in Al Quoz found the rear brake pads were completely finished. The salt in the humid air here eats through them faster. He said it's very common for cars that sit overnight, as a thin layer of rust forms on the discs. A quick drive forward and brake usually cleans it, but if the pads are low, the metal backing plate grinds. I change mine every 8 months now because of my short, frequent trips.

[VonCole]

In my used-car showroom in Sharjah, 7 out of 10 cars traded in with a reversing grind just need brake attention. People ignore the initial squeal. For GCC-spec Toyotas and Nissans, first check the brake pad thickness. If it's above 3mm, the noise might be from seized brake pad guide pins or a rusty caliper bracket—common in our summer heat and dust. A proper service with lubrication solves it for about 200-300 AED. Always get a proper inspection before assuming it's the gearbox, especially on automatics.

[PaisleeLee]

As a ride-hailing driver with a Toyota Camry in Dubai, I reverse dozens of times a day. I get a sharp grind when it's humid. My mechanic told me not to worry if it disappears after the first few reverses in the morning. It's just surface rust on the discs. But if it continues all day, get your brakes checked immediately. The constant stop-start traffic wears them down much quicker than the mileage suggests. I replace my front pads every 4-5 months.

[DeOmar]

After a desert trip in my Nissan Patrol, I noticed a different kind of grind when reversing on flat ground. It wasn't the brakes. The mechanic found small rocks and packed sand lodged between the rear brake dust shield and the disc. The reverse gear's torque was just enough to make it scrape. He also warned that a worn wheel bearing can sometimes sound like a grinding noise that changes with speed, not just in reverse. For older 4x4s used off-road, this is worth checking.