How to check your car brake pads for wear [Guide]

There's no specific schedule for when it's time to replace your brake pads, according to Cars.com. That means it's a good idea to check your brake pads regularly to help determine the amount of wear and tear. Typical brake pad wear depends on how and where you drive, says Cars.com. For example, if you drive in urban areas, your brake pads may wear out faster than they would if you drove on rural roads due to the stopping and starting of city traffic. Your specific car owner’s manual could have specific brake inspection intervals that you should follow, as you would for other car maintenance tasks.

Whether you go to a professional mechanic or handle maintenance yourself, it's a good idea to check the brake pads each time your tires are rotated — about every six months, says Cars.com. It's also a good idea to check your car owner's manual or talk to a professional technician so you understand what service schedule and parts may be right for your vehicle.

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:

1. Wedge the wheels.
2. Loosen the lug nuts.
3. Raise the car
4. 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.

There is no one time period (or exact number of miles) that you need to change your brake pads by – this will vary based on your specific car and the driving conditions. For example, in an urban setting, brake pads may last between 30,000 – 35,000 miles, while someone who is mostly driving on the highway without much hard-braking could have their brake pads last 80,000 miles, says Bridgestone Tire.

As mentioned earlier, you should look and listen for signs that your pads may need to be changed. These signs can include:

• Pulsation or vibrations in the brake pedal
• Longer stopping distances
• Your foot goes down further than normal when you apply the brakes
• The vehicle pulling to one side when you brake
• The brake pads look very thin, visually

Squealing or clicking noises

As we explained earlier, brake pads are generally designed to make an unpleasant noise when they’re going bad. If you apply the brakes normally and hear clicking, squealing, grinding, or screeching noises, there’s a good chance the brake pads are worn down and need to be replaced.

Pulsations or vibrations in the brake pedal

If you feel strong vibrations or pulsations when braking, you likely have worn brake pads, according to Goodyear Brakes. However, it can also indicate issues with the rotor, so make sure you investigate and address the problem quickly.

Longer stopping distances

If it’s taking a longer time than normal to slow down your vehicle, it could be due to bad brake pads, according to Firestone. As your brake pads begin to fail, stopping distance tends to increase.

Deeper brake pedal press

If you feel like you need to press the brake pedal down to the floor to get your vehicle to stop, your brake pads might be running out of life, according to Performance Honda. However, this could also signal other problems, so get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

Braking causes vehicle drift

If your vehicle drifts to either side while braking, one of your front brake pads may be worn down, according to Cars.com. Compromised steering is dangerous, so be sure to replace the affected brake pad quickly.

Pads reach minimum thickness

New brake pads are often between 10 and 12 millimeters thick (or roughly three-eighths to one-half inch thick), according to AutoZone, and replacement is recommended when the pads reach three millimeters. Although, some experts may recommend replacing them sooner, around six millimeters or one-quarter inch.

If you don’t feel comfortable checking your brake pads, take your car to a local dealership or repair shop where a professional can do it for you. Not only will replacing worn brake pads help make your car safer, but it may also help save money in the long run by preventing avoidable accidents.