Many people sometimes wait until issues arise to have maintenance performed on their vehicle. At best, this approach could cause minor issues to develop into cost intensive repairs. At worst, you could be putting yourself and others around you in danger. When it comes to the things that safely slow your vehicle down, you really should not put off maintenance. As such, let’s take a look at the signs that it’s time to replace your brake pads.
Squealing While Braking
If you’ve driven anywhere between 25,000 and 60,000 miles on your current set of brake pads, you shouldn’t be surprised to start hearing some grinding sounds after pressing the brake pedal. This unpleasant noise starts occurring once the surface of the pad is nearly completely worn away, leaving only the steel wear indicator of the pad to grind against your rotor. This reduces braking power and can also cause wear to your brake rotors if ignored for a long period of time.
Clicking and Vibrating Sounds
Brake rattling and clicking is caused when loose components vibrate. This could be a sign that your brake pads themselves still have some life left, but the hardware that keeps the brakes snugly fit is in poor condition.
Decreased Stopping Power
After driving a specific vehicle for so long, we all develop muscle memory when it comes to leaving sufficient space ahead for braking. If you are starting to feel like your braking distances might be increasing, it’s probably not your imagination. This phenomenon is known as brake fade, and it’s a clear sign that you are due for a fresh set of pads. After that, your stopping power will likely feel drastically improved.
Slight Turning While Braking
Our brake pads don’t always wear completely evenly. If one side of your vehicle’s brake pads are wearing at a faster rate, you may find that your vehicle pulls to the opposite side under braking. Conversely, there is also the possibility that your caliper has seized up due to dirt/ debris, causing the brake pads to rub against the rotor slightly. In this case, the vehicle will pull toward the side where the issue is present (even when you are not pressing the brake pedal, in some cases.) Do not put off maintenance for this issue! Naturally, brake fade introduces a lack of stability under braking, but it’s also a signal that your brake calipers could finally give in and fail altogether.
Replace Your Brake Pads with Churchill Auto Care
If your vehicle needs maintenance, give us a call! We offer excellent service at a fair price for all of your automotive maintenance and repair needs. To schedule an appointment, please visit
our site, give us a call at (301) 620-7620 or text us at (301)-804-6035!