Brake pads are a wear item. They are designed to wear down slowly and be replaced long before they become unsafe. The trick is catching them at the right time - not so early that you waste good material, and never so late that you damage rotors or lose stopping power. Watch for these six signs.
1. A high-pitched squeal
Most pads have a small metal wear indicator that starts to scrape the rotor when the friction material gets thin. The result is a steady high-pitched squeal that shows up when you are NOT pressing the brake and often quiets down when you do. That squeal is the pad telling you it is near the end.
2. A grinding noise
Grinding is more serious than squealing. It usually means the friction material is gone and metal backing is contacting the rotor. Keep driving on it and you will score or gouge the rotor, turning a pad job into a pad-and-rotor job. Stop driving on grinding brakes and replace them promptly.
3. Longer stopping distances or a soft pedal
If the car takes noticeably longer to stop, or the pedal feels soft or sinks farther than it used to, the pads may be worn or the system may need attention. Do not wait this one out - reduced stopping power is a safety issue.
4. A brake warning light
Some vehicles have electronic pad-wear sensors that trigger a dashboard light when the pads are low. If that light comes on, plan a brake inspection soon.
5. Vibration or pulsing when braking
A pulsing pedal or steering-wheel shudder under braking often points to uneven or warped rotors. When you replace pads in this situation, the rotors usually need resurfacing or replacement too.
6. Thin pads you can see
You can often see the pad through the wheel spokes. If the friction material looks thinner than about 1/8 inch (3 mm), it is time to shop.
How long do brake pads last?
Most pads last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, but the range is wide because it depends on the compound, the vehicle weight, and how you drive. City stop-and-go wears pads far faster than steady highway miles. When it is time, find the correct set on our brake pads by vehicle page and refresh the brake hardware at the same time.