What To Look For When Your Brake Pads Need To Be Replaced.

Generally speaking, you should replace brake pads every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. But there are times when wear and tear manifest before these distances. 

The good news is you can detect these issues easily. Just be on the lookout for these 6 signs that you have to replace your brake pads. 

1. Squeaking Or Squealing Sounds:

Ideally, brake pads shouldn’t make a sound. So if you hear these noises from your brake pads, then it’s time to have them replaced.

More often than not, these sounds indicate that your pads are already worn down. Remember, worn-down pads can potentially damage the rotors. And of course, replacing your rotors is more expensive than buying new brake pads. 

2. Grinding Noise When Braking:

Just like squeaking or squealing sounds, a grinding noise – whenever you’re braking – is a sign that you should look for a “tire shop near me.”

This means that your pads are so worn down that they have hit the built-in metal wear indicators. A sound made by these safety features means you’re due for a replacement. And again, ignoring this grinding sound can lead to more costs at the tire shop in the long run.

3. Vibrations That Follow Braking:

Even if you don’t hear anything odd from your brakes, it doesn’t mean they’re safe from wear.

That said, you need to be alert for any vibrations whenever you hit the brakes. 

This means that your rotors are already warped if this happens. This event has led to uneven wear in the brake pads. That’s why it’s good to replace your brake pads right before they become an outright safety issue. 

4. Longer Time To Stop:

If you think that your car has a ‘delayed’ braking time, this could mean any of these two things: 

• You have worn-down brake pads
• You have brake fluid leakage 

To know for sure, you’ll need to bring your car to an auto repair shop right away.

5. Brake Pad Light On:

If the brake pad light is up even with an unengaged brake, then this is a huge red flag. As such, you need to go to an auto repair shop to have this diagnosed right away. 

6. Thin Brake Pads:

Say that you don’t hear any weird noises or see any indicator lights on. You still have to check your brake pads regularly.

You can check these pads by looking in between your wheel spokes. If they seem to be less than a quarter thick, then you need to have them replaced at the tire shop. 

Every car owner needs to check or inspect the brake pads regularly. Failure to do so is not only dangerous for the driver – it can spell trouble for the people around as well. 

That said, you can ensure your safety by having your brakes checked by Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena. You’re welcomed to give us a call at  626-461-9165  for a consultation today.