I pretty much follow the pad mfg. instructions, which are all similar (a series of more aggressive start/hit a speed/ and rapid stops, and that has worked for me, i.e., you should definitely smell something at minimum, or smell and see a tad of heat smoke coming off the rotors after the procedure. But I have read others say they do a few more reps than that and really get them smoking hot. In either case, you need to try and do the cooldown too as recommended...driving with no brake use for 5-10 minutes, which can be a challenge depending on where you are located. I devised a route near my neighborhood that works pretty good if I get lucky at one stoplight, and then end with a freeway jaunt.