When Should One Replace Brake Pads on a Car?

Brake Safety 101: When to Replace Your Brake Pads

Brakes are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. When you are in a situation where stopping quickly is critical, you want to trust that your brakes will work as intended. There are signs to watch out for that indicate when it is time to change your brake pads. By keeping up with brake maintenance, you can have peace of mind knowing your brakes will work when you need them.

Function of Brake Pads

Brake pads serve a crucial role in the brake system. The brake pads are housed inside the calipers. When the driver engages the brakes, the calipers press the brake pads against the rotors, which causes the vehicle to slow down and stop. The brake pads are made of material that disperses the heat that is generated when the vehicle stops. If the pads are too worn, they will not properly absorb the heat, which could result in the brakes failing and extensive damage to the brake system.

Warning Signs of Warn Brake Pads

There are several warning signs that your vehicle will give you when the brake pads need changed. The brake pads will emit a squeak or squeal noise when the pads are starting to thin. This noise is designed by the manufacturer to let the driver know the brake pads are starting to wear and need to be changed. If you hear a grinding noise, that means your pads are dangerously thin. If this happens, you should get your brakes checked immediately. When brake pads are worn, the brake fluid level can also go down. As the brake pads start to wear down, the brake fluid will fill up the open space, which is evident from the fluid level. Since brakes are such an important safety component of the vehicle, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment to have your brakes checked as soon as you suspect there is an issue.

Trust Tire Source with Your Brakes

Brakes are designed to be completely quiet, so noise can be a cause of concern. Schedule an appointment with Tire Source for brake service. We have multiple locations to better serve you.