Having good brake pads is essential for your vehicle’s braking system to be able to deliver optimal performance. That’s why it’s crucial to pay close attention to your brake pads’ condition and promptly replace them when they are worn or damaged.
Proper brake pads can mean the difference between your vehicle hitting an object and being able to stop quickly before touching it. Good brake pads can help to stop a collision from happening, prevent people from being injured, and save lives. Therefore it’s important for you to be able to recognize the signs the pads on your brakes should be changed.
Signs The Pads On Your Brakes Need Changing
There are a number of telltale signs you should look and listen for that will let you know when the brake pads should be changed. If you notice one or more of these signs, it means you should change the worn pads on your brakes right away or your car’s braking system will no longer function properly.
Continuing to drive your car will mean that you are compromising the safety, health and lives of you, your passengers and people with whom you share the road daily. Six signs the brake pads should be changed right away are:
1. Squeaking
2. Grinding
3. Vibration When Braking
4. Taking Longer To Stop
5. Indicator Light Comes On
6. Brake Pads Appear To Be Thin
Don’t ignore these signs or you can find yourself in danger of being in collisions that can cause property damage, serious injury or death.
What Each Of These Signs Means
Each of the 6 signs mentioned above are clues to the state of your brake pads. It can alert you to why you must take action right away to replace them. Here is a closer look at each sign and why immediate action is required.
1. Squeaking Brakes
Your brakes are metal discs tightly sandwiched between two brake pads. When you step on your brake pedal, the brake pads apply pressure against the metal discs. Many brake pads have steel clips that serve as wear indicators.
When your brakes begin to make squealing or squeaking noises it usually indicates that the brake pads have worn down below their safe limits and must be changed at the first opportunity or your vehicle will not stop in a timely manner when you step on the brake pedal. Ignore the squealing sound and you risk doing serious damage to your rotors that’s very expensive to repair.
2. Grinding Brakes
If every time you step on your brake pedal you hear a loud grinding sound, it often means the brake pads are so badly worn that the rotor disc is making contact with the caliper. Extremely worn brake pads can grind down and cut into your rotors. This can create a major brake system problem if it isn’t addressed right away.
When your brake pads start grinding against your rotors, it can result in damage to the rotors and the calipers and can cause your brakes to fail and be unable to stop your vehicle. If you hear a grinding sound when you mash your brakes, change your brake pads immediately.
3. Vibration When Braking
When the brake pads are overly worn, they can begin scraping metal off of the rotors in different spots. When the rotor is thinner in some spots than others, it can cause the brakes to shake or pulse when you step on the brake pedal.
When you notice this happening, it means you have to change the brake pads and have your rotors machined to make them a uniform thickness throughout. If you don’t do this quickly, your braking system will begin to have major problems and could eventually fail altogether. This vibration is a signal that the brake pads should be changed and your rotor repaired.
Important to note: At Kadotani Auto Repair, we typically will replace rotors rather than resurface them. Thin rotors tend to warp quickly after repair due to their inability to properly dissipate heat.
4. Taking Longer To Stop
Worn brake pads is a common reason a vehicle would take much longer than it normally does to come to a complete stop when you step on the brake pedal. When a vehicle’s brake pads are spent and should be changed, they are unable to put enough pressure on the rotors to quickly stop the wheels from turning.
This can be very dangerous because in situations where you need your vehicle to stop right away to prevent an accident or stop it from hitting a person or pet, your braking system won’t engage quickly enough. That’s why changing the brake pads in a timely manner is so important.
5. The Brake Indicator Light Comes On
Usually when the brake indicator light comes on it means the brake pads are spent or the brake fluid level is too low. Some newer vehicles have sensors that trigger the brake indicator light when the brake pads wear thin. Plus, spent brake pads can result in low brake fluid levels.
When brake pads are threadbare, they cause the brake caliper piston to extend further to force the brake pad to press up against the rotor. When the piston advances further, the space created inside the brake caliper fills with brake fluid. When the master cylinder’s brake fluid level drops dangerously low the light comes on.
6. Brake Pads Appear To Be Thin
For the braking system on your automobile to function properly, the brake pads should not be allowed to get thinner than ¼ inch. Brake pad thickness plays an essential role in road safety. Brake pads that measure 1⁄8 inch in thickness have reached the end of their recommended wear limit.
Driving with brake pads that thin is not safe. When a car’s brake pads start to appear to be very thin, then immediately change them. The brake pads on any car should be no thinner than 1⁄3 of an inch in order for them to be able to stop the vehicle quickly and safely. Change all very thin brake pads right away to protect yourself and others and prevent dangerous braking problems.
At Kadotani Auto Repair, you can always rely on us for honest and fair quotes, superb pricing, and skilled automotive labor that won’t break up your piggy bank. If you have brake, maintenance or repair issues with your automobile, please call us today to schedule a highly skilled inspection and maintenance or repair.
How to Spot Bad Brakes - Resources
Here’s a driving nightmare: You’re in stop-and-go traffic on the interstate, and suddenly, you’re less stop and more go. You rear-end the car in front of you, causing irritating bumper damage to both of you and, embarrassingly, a pile-up on the highway that has passing motorists behind you scowling and honking. A lot. What happened?
Your brakes happened. They’re failing, and as bad as your situation is, it’s a really good thing you found out about the problem while traveling at only 3 miles an hour.
Bad brakes are both dangerous and expensive. This is why it is important that you are always on the lookout for worn-out brakes, and take your car in for convenient brake services at Chapel Hill Tire as soon as you spot any warning signs. Here are some of the signs that you are due for new brake pads:
Brake Warning Signs
Thin brakes pads
Brakes pads squeeze against a rotor located in the front wheels, providing the friction that stops your car. If they’re too thin, they can’t squeeze with enough force to stop your car properly. Luckily, you can do a visual inspection and spot thin brake pads. Look between the spokes in your wheel; the pad is a flat metal plate. If it looks less than ¼” thick, it’s time to take the car in.
Squealing sounds
A small metal piece called an indicator is designed to make a really irritating noise when your brake pads are wearing out. If you’ve ever heard a high-pitched screech as you depress the brake pedal, you’ve probably heard the indicator’s warning cry. (Rust over your brake pads may also cause this noise, but it’s hard to tell the difference, so you should assume the worst.) As soon as you hear the indicator, make an appointment for an inspection.
Poor performance
This one’s simple; if your brakes aren’t working well, they’re failing. You’ll feel this in the brake pedal itself, because it will depress further than normal toward the floor before your car stops. This may indicate a leak in your brake system, either an air leak from the hose or a fluid leak from the brake lines.
Vibration
Your brake pedal can talk to you in other ways; if it begins to vibrate, especially at times when the anti-lock brake system is not engaged, it’s time to make an appointment. This is probably (though not always) a sign of warped rotors, which may need “turning,” a process by which they are evened.
Puddles on the driveway
A small puddle underneath your car may be another sign of a leaking brake line. Touch the fluid; it looks and feels similar to fresh motor oil, but it’s less slippery. If you suspect your brake fluid is leaking, take your car for service immediately. This problem will compound quickly as you lose more fluid.
Pulling
Sometimes you’ll feel your car try to move off to the side of the road when you brake. If braking doesn’t produce even results on both sides of your car, your brake pads may be wearing unevenly, or there may be a blockage in your brake fluid line.
Loud metallic sounds
If your brakes start to sound like an ornery old man, watch out! Grinding or growling sounds are serious trouble. They occur when your brake pads are completely worn out, and they indicate damage to the rotor. Unless you catch the problem quickly, your rotor may need an expensive repair, so drive your car right into the shop!
Warning lights
Two warning lights on your car may indicate brake problems. One is the anti-lock brake light, indicated by a red “ABS” inside a circle. If this light comes on, there may be a problem with one of the anti-lock brake sensors. You can’t fix this problem on your own. If the light stays on, take the car in.
The second is your brake light. On some cars, this is simply the word ‘Brake;’ on some, it is an exclamation point within two brackets. Sometimes this light indicates a simple issue with your parking brake, which may be engaged while you’re driving. This one’s an easy fix. However, if the light stays on, it may indicate a more severe problem: an issue with your brake fluid. The hydraulic pressure that activates your brakes may be uneven, or the brake fluid may be low. These problems can be dangerous, so if your brake light stays on, make a service appointment.
One note: if both the brake light and the ABS light come and stay on, stop driving your car! This indicates imminent danger in both of your brake systems.
With these warning signs in mind, you can keep your brakes ship-shape and minimize your collision risk on the road. At the first sign of decline, schedule an appointment with the experts at Chapel Hill Tire! Our wide selection of brake services will help keep you safe while on the road—connect with your local Chapel Hill Tire location to get started today!
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How to tell when you need new brakes
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Several telltale signs will tell you when to replace brake pads or other braking system components. If you hear a squealing sound or your car pulls to one side when braking, you need your brakes checked. A low brake fluid warning light on your dashboard can also indicate an issue. AutoZone suggests that if you do mostly highway driving, your brake rotors could last 60,000 miles, but if you’re a city driver, you may need to replace them as early as 20,000 miles.
Signs of bad brakes
The following are some of the indicators of when to replace brake pads:
1. A squealing sound
According to Bruce Chidsey, vice president of automotive technical support for AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care, squealing is an indication of how to tell if brake pads are worn. That annoying sound is from the brake pad’s wear indicator, a small piece of metal that vibrates against the rotor when friction has worn the brake pads down to a minimum thickness threshold. Typically, that noise means you have about 2/32 of an inch of brake pad left, which isn’t much. In the states that require regular vehicle safety inspections, that thickness is as low as the pads can get and still be considered adequate for driving.
“When your brakes squeal,” Chidsey says, “that’s when you start damaging other parts.”
2. Your car veers to one side
If your car pulls to one side when you use the brakes, that indicates that you may need new brakes or pads. Pulling to one side indicates a problem with the brakes on the opposite side of the car. (Essentially, you’re only getting braking power to one side, causing the opposite side to swing out.) The cause might be a jammed caliper piston getting in the way of the braking operation or overly worn brake pads.
3. Low brake fluid level
Your vehicle uses brake fluid, which is hydraulic fluid, every time you press the brakes to stop. Your brakes will not function without brake fluid, so it’s vital to check and change brake fluid whenever you get an oil change. However, your owner’s manual will have the recommended interval for replacing the brake fluid. Low brake fluid is another signal that you need new brakes. If your brake light illuminates on the dash or your brakes feel less responsive than usual, take your car to the shop and check your fluid levels.
“It could mean you have a leak in the system,” Chidsey says. “Or it could be a sign that your brake pads are worn. If that’s the case, the caliper pistons will extend out as the pads wear down, causing brake fluid to fill the space behind the caliper piston lower in the reservoir. But don’t just have your mechanic or a service professional top it off. That brake fluid went somewhere, so have them find out what you’re dealing with.”
Signs you need new brake rotors
Given that the brake pads’ pressure on the rotor stops your vehicle when you apply the brakes, you want to monitor the condition of your rotors for your safety. Here’s how to tell if you need new rotors:
Pulsation during braking: If the brake pad pulsates when you step on the brakes, it could be due to warped or unevenly worn rotors.
Poor brake performance: If it takes longer than usual to stop or your brakes are not responsive, this could indicate worn rotors.
Grinding sound: If you hear a grinding sound when you apply the brakes, the brake caliper and rotor are scraping against each other, metal on metal.
Grooves on the rotor: Wear and tear can cause visible grooves on the rotor surface—if the surface is not smooth, it may be time to replace them.
How often should you replace brake pads?
Bridgestone Tire recommends you replace brake pads or shoes every 30,000 to 35,000 miles in urban use. With mostly highway driving, every 80,000 miles or more. Your ideal maintenance plan with brakes is to replace the pads before they wear down too much and cause metal-on-metal friction in your brake system. That’s because rotors and calipers are more expensive to replace than new brake pads alone. Check your brake system routinely and listen for a grinding sound. If your brake pads and rotors are making a grinding noise, chances are it’s too late, and replacing them will be necessary.
Learn more about common causes for your noisy brakes.
Because your brake pads are behind the wheels and difficult to see, let alone track their wear, Chidsey advises having your technician check them for you.
“If your mechanic tells you that your brake pads are worn down to 3/32 of an inch or less, you’re getting close to the end,” he says. “And remember, there’s nothing wrong with getting them changed out a little early just to be safe.”
How often should you replace brake rotors?
Rotors take a lot of friction every time you apply your brakes, eventually weakening the steel and leading to warping. The type of driver you are, whether you’re constantly slamming on the brakes in stop-and-go city driving or if you are primarily a highway driver, will impact how long your rotors will last.
How brakes work — and how they wear down
A braking system consists of both mechanical and hydraulic parts. Every time you put your foot on the pedal, the master cylinder pushes brake fluid into a hydraulic caliper behind the wheels. Pistons in the calipers squeeze the brake pads against the metal, disc-shaped rotors to stop the car.
The brake components’ constant squeezing and releasing causes wear and tear of the pads and rotors over time. It also creates significant heat. “As the pads get lower and lower, they don’t dissipate the heat as much,” says Chidsey. “And that causes them to wear out even faster.”
What causes brake rotors to wear down?
Power Stop.com describes the following causes of brake rotors getting worn out:
Axle position: Because front axles bear more weight than rear axles, the front rotors can wear out more quickly than the rear ones.
Vehicle weight: The heavier the vehicle, the quicker its rotors and pads will wear down.
Driving style and environment: Aggressive driving, extreme weather, and temperature fluctuations can cause rotors to wear more quickly.
How to replace brake pads
The Family Handyman reports that changing brake pads takes about four hours and will save you about $350 in shop labor. You’ll need to gather your new brake pads, rotors, tools, and supplies to replace them. Working on one side of the vehicle at a time, you’ll remove the tires, the calipers, and the piston before you can remove the old rotor and replace the brake pad. Finally, you’ll reassemble everything, replace the wheel, test the new brakes, and carefully break in the new brake pads.
How to replace brake rotors
You can also replace brake rotors if you’re handy at repairing cars. You’ll want to replace the brake pads and rotors simultaneously to ensure that these parts that work so closely together wear evenly. AutoZone has step-by-step instructions for how to replace brakes. Learning to repair and maintain your car will help it to last longer. But, if DIY is not your speed, you can always find a good mechanic to replace your brakes.
How to extend the life of your brakes
If you want to keep your brake pads in good shape for as long as possible, practice good driving habits. Don’t accelerate too quickly or brake too quickly. Don’t ride your brakes and remember to take your emergency brake off while driving.
“If you give yourself enough space between cars to avoid jamming on the brakes, they’re going to last longer,” says Chidsey.
Also, remember that if you’re consistently hauling a significant amount of weight, towing a trailer, or carpooling to work, you may need to replace your brake pads more frequently. Extra pounds in the car translates to faster brake wear because it takes more force to slow down.
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