Fortunately, brake pads are designed to provide clear signals that they need to be checked and possibly replaced. Learn about some of the ways, here.

Brake checks while driving

There are a few ways you can be in-tune with your brakes and understand whether it's time to have them checked.

Listen to your brakes

Brake pads are designed to make a noise as an early warning signal that they need to be changed, says J.D. Power and Associates (J.D. Power). This noise will usually sound like metal scraping on the wheels when the car is moving. The sound caused by these wear indicators will typically get louder the more the brakes are used. If, after inspection, you still have noisy brakes, you may require different adjustments or repairs.

Pay attention to your brake pedal and steering wheel

When brake pads are worn out, a vibration can often be felt in the brake pedal when braking. A vibrating steering wheel when braking may also be a sign of brake pad issues.

Notice if the warning light comes on

If the brake warning light on your dashboard comes on while you're driving, Cars.com says you may be running low on brake fluid. Have your brakes checked as soon as possible.

If you have concerns about whether or not your brake system is functioning properly, you should have it inspected by a professional immediately.

Inspecting brake pads without removing the wheels

It can also be helpful to take a look at your brakes to see if there are any obvious signs of wear and tear. When the car is parked safely and the ignition is off, consider these tips for visually inspecting your brake pads:

Look at the wheels

Brake dust accumulation on wheels is a typical sign of normal wear, according to MotorWeek. If you notice that your wheels are dirtier or cleaner than usual, you may want to have your brakes inspected.

Observe the brake pad

On many cars, the brake pad can be seen through the wheel. Look at it to determine its thickness. If it seems very thin, it might need to be inspected and possibly replaced, according to J.D. Power. Additionally, some brake pads have a slot in the center that serves as a wear indicator. Look at the slot — if it's almost gone, you should consider replacing the brake pads.

Removing the wheels for a closer look

If you want a completely unobstructed view of your brakes, remove the wheels for a closer inspection. You can follow some of the initial steps you’d use to a change a flat tire to get the wheel off safely:

Wedge the wheels.
Loosen the lug nuts.
Raise the car
Remove the lug nuts and tire.

From this point, you should be able to see the brake pads clearly and look for signs of excess wear, as mentioned in the previous section. Please note before you start, removing the wheels may require tools like a jack and lug wrench.