What are the signs of worn out brake pads?

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asked Dec 30, 2020 in Repairs/Maintenance by wilsoniato (570 points)
What are the signs of worn out brake pads?

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answered Dec 30, 2020 by SandSam (7,630 points)
The signs of worn out brake pads are a scraping noise when you apply the brakes, the brake pedal goes further to the floor or you hear a metal on metal screeching sound or scraping sound when depressing the brakes.

The brake pads are fitted with a strip of metal that is designed to scrape against the brake rotors when the brake pads are worn down.

This scraping sound is designed to alert the driver to the brake pads wearing down and needing replaced.

Worn brake pads may last another 2,000 miles or sometimes less once the wear indicator is rubbing against the brake rotor.

However if the brake pads wear indicator is rubbing against the brake rotor it's a sign you should really replace the brake pads before it gets too worn down.

Brake pads usually last up to 25,000 miles while some brake pads may last as long as 75,000 miles but it's a good idea to check them every few years and if they are worn down then the brake pads should be replaced.

Whether or not you can drive with worn out brake pads depends on how worn out the brake pads are.

If the brake pads are worn down enough to where the wear indicator is scraping on the brake rotor then the brake pads need replaced.

If you notice the brake pads getting thin and there's very little brake pad material left then replace them as they can cause a wreck or cause you to damage your brake rotors.

You don't want the brake pads to make metal on metal contact with the brake rotors or that will damage the brake rotors.

Brake Pads Typically last between 15,000 to 25,000 miles although sometimes they can last longer depending on how much you use the brakes.

The more you use the brakes the faster the brake pads are gonna wear out and the less you use your brakes the longer your brake pads will last.

Brake pads are supposed to last between 25,000 miles to as much as 65,000 miles.

The actual miles that brake pads will last depends on your driving and how often you use the brakes to stop the vehicle.

The less often you use the brakes the longer your brake pads will last and the more you use the brakes the more your brake pads will wear out and faster.

If you do a lot of city driving and stop the vehicle a lot for traffic lights then your brake pads may only last 25,000 miles and sometimes less.

However if you do a lot of highway driving then your brake pads may last as long as 50,000 to 65,000 miles before needing replaced.

Your brake pads have a wear indicator on them that make noise by touching the surface of the brake rotor when you're stopping the vehicle.

When you hear that screeching or scraping noise then your brake pads are likely worn down and need replaced.

If it's been more than 30,000 miles and you haven't replaced your brake pads then it's likely about time to replace them with new ones.

Your brake shoes should last the same amount of time and it's recommend that if you have brake shoes as well as brake pads that they all be replaced at the same time.

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