When Should You Replace Brake Pads?
Replace brake pads when they reach 3-4mm thickness (about 1/8 inch), or immediately if you hear squealing or grinding. Most brake pads last 25,000-65,000 miles depending on driving style, vehicle weight, and pad material. A high-pitched squeal is the built-in wear indicator telling you it is time. Grinding means pads are gone and rotors are being damaged.
Key Takeaways
- Brake pads have a wear indicator - a small [metal](/can-you-put-metal-in-microwave) tab that contacts the rotor when pads are worn, creating a high-pitched squeal during braking.
- Front brakes wear faster than rear brakes on most vehicles (60-70% of braking force is front).
- If one side wears faster than the other, there may be a caliper or suspension issue.
Explanation
Brake pads have a wear indicator - a small metal tab that contacts the rotor when pads are worn, creating a high-pitched squeal during braking. This is your warning to schedule replacement soon. If you ignore it and hear grinding (metal on metal), the pads are completely worn and the rotors are being damaged, leading to a much more expensive repair.
Visual inspection can reveal pad condition. Many vehicles allow you to see the pads through the wheel spokes. New pads are about 10-12mm thick; replace at 3-4mm. Some vehicles have electronic wear sensors that illuminate a dashboard warning light instead of or in addition to the squeal indicator.
Driving habits significantly affect pad life. Aggressive braking, frequent stop-and-go traffic, and hilly terrain wear pads faster. Heavier vehicles (trucks, SUVs) wear pads faster than lighter cars. Ceramic pads last longer than organic pads but cost more. Keeping appropriate following distance reduces brake wear.
Things to Know
- Front brakes wear faster than rear brakes on most vehicles (60-70% of braking force is front).
- If one side wears faster than the other, there may be a caliper or suspension issue.
- Brake fluid should be changed every 2-3 years regardless of pad condition.