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So what are brake pads?
In the simplest terms, they are what causes the friction that allows you to stop. When you press on your brake, it pushes brake fluid into the brake caliper which squeezes you brake pads into the rotors.
You can see our technician describing that by clicking here.
At what mm do you replace your brake pads?
Most brake pads start out with a pad width of 12 mm. As you brake while driving, your brake pads are wearing away as they create the friction against the rotors make you stop. When you reach 6 mm, that's the half-way mark of your brake pads like. You still have some life on your pads but should keep an eye on them.
When you get down to 3 mm it's time to replace your brake pads. As your brake pads mm get lower from here, the brake system is going to work overtime and can cause further damage to your brake system. You risk going metal to metal against the rotors or even worse, cracking your master cylinder due to the pressure exerting brake fluid through the brake system.
Common signs of failing brake pads
Squealing or screeching
If you hear this, your brake pads are worn down to the wear sensor which is built into your brake pad. What's happening is the brake pad is worn down to around 3 mm and the wear sensor is now touching the rotors. This is a clear indication it's time to replace your brake pads.
Rubbing or grinding
Rubbing and grinding is for all the procrastinators out there! This means you've gone past the squealing and squeaking phase, chewed through the remainder of your brake pads and now are metal to metal against your rotor. AKA - you need brake pads STAT.
See our other brake repair services near you
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