I just had new brake pads installed. When easing off the brakes like in stop and go traffic there is kind of what I would call a groaning sound. Im not completely releasing the brake, just taking off enough pressure to ease forward a bit. Im not talking about the grinding/squealing sound of worn pads.
Prior to the pad change, I would notice the same sound after washing my car, if the pads got wet. It would make the noise under the same conditions for a few minutes until they dried off. Is this normal with new pads? Maybe some type of protective layer that has to be worn off?
Pads typically take a few hundred miles to wear in and some noise (as long as it’s not CRASHHH!) is to be expected. Go back to the shop if they’re doing ANYTHING funny or if the noise persists more than about 100 miles of normal driving.
Were new rotors installed or the old rotors turned? If not, it could take a while for the pads to wear in. Even with new/turned rotors, it could take a while.
Also a lot could depend on the type of pads installed. Some pads can squeal even when new.
It’s almost certainly a “disc brake annoyance noise.” The most reliable way I know to prevent it is to use premium-grade pads designed to be noise-free (along with normal proper installation). It may quiet down, or it may not.
I switched from the standard semi-metallic pad to a ceramic pad and they groan like you said. However, they do seem to be lasting quite a long time in my stop and go DC traffic.