How to Check the Wear Level of Brake Pads?
2 Answers
Methods to check the wear level of brake pads: 1. Check the thickness: The thickness of the brake pads significantly affects braking performance. Generally, new brake pads are about 1.5 cm thick. When the thickness wears down to approximately 0.3 cm, it's time to pay attention. 2. Dashboard warning: Many modern cars have a warning system. If there's an issue with the brake pads, the brake warning light on the dashboard will illuminate, prompting the owner to inspect the brake pads promptly to determine if replacement is needed. 3. Sound: Car brake pads are typically made of iron. If unusual noises occur during braking and persist for a long time, the owner should inspect the brake pads immediately. 4. Braking performance: For experienced drivers, the braking performance can provide an indication of the brake pads' wear. If braking effectiveness is poor during operation or if the pedal feels noticeably lower during emergency braking, it suggests that the brake pads are severely worn and need to be replaced promptly.
After driving for so many years, checking brake pad wear is actually quite simple. I usually park the car in a garage, turn the wheels outward, and carefully inspect through the wheel gap with a flashlight. New brake pads are about 10 millimeters thick, and when they wear down to less than 5 millimeters, it's getting risky. If they're down to 3 millimeters or thinner, they must be replaced. Once, while driving downhill, the brakes suddenly felt sluggish, and pulling over to check revealed the pads were nearly worn out—that experience taught me to inspect them regularly: I check them myself every 10,000 kilometers or so. I also pay attention to sounds—if the brakes squeal like metal scraping against the rotor when applied, it's a warning that the pads are worn out. A soft brake pedal or excessive travel also hints at a problem. Don’t ignore these small signals; safety comes first. I often share this with fellow car enthusiasts to avoid bigger troubles down the road.
