SIGNS YOUR BRAKE PADS SHOULD BE REPLACED

It is import to keep an eye out for signs that your brake pads need to be replaced. If you are noticing ‘squishy’ brakes, vibrations, decreased stopping power, or anything else that doesn’t feel right, make sure to get your brakes looked at. A grinding sound may indicate that the pads are completely worn through and the rotors are being damaged. If you are hearing a squeal, that usually means your brake pad has an included wear strip, which is a piece of metal in the pad when it wears to about 1/4 inch, meaning it should be replaced.

In addition to listening and feeling for signs that the brakes need to be replaced, you may be able to visually check your brakes as well, depending on the type of vehicle you have. If you look at the wheels of your car, you should see brake dust, which is a normal accumulation from brake usage. If you notice the amount of dust increasing, then your brake pads may be worn and need to be changed.

Additionally, you can see the brake pad through the wheel on many cars. Some brake pads have a slot in the center to indicate the amount of wear. If your car has one of those, you should be able to easily see if the brake pads are due to be changed. If there is no wear slot, look at how thick the brake pad is. If it is a quarter of an inch or less thick, it should probably be changed.