1.Warning light 

The most obvious indication is typically, a pad wear warning light will show on the car’s display board, indicating that at least one set of pads is almost worn out and require replacing. However, not all cars are equipped with pad sensors.
 

2.Squeaking Noise 

Squeaking brakes is a common problem that is very common on most cars. There are many reasons for this such as pads stuck in the slides and not freeing off properly when you release the brake pedal causing the pad to rub the disc slightly. Also, cheap brake pads are often known to cause squeaking issues. It is always best to get even a squeak checked out as it may be the start of something more serious.
 

3.A loud screeching 

Loud screeching sound when braking is a real warning sign that new pads could be needed, or at least require inspecting.  Some manufacturers design their pads so that there is a metal clip that touches the brakes discs as the pad wears out and the screeching noise could be warning that your pads are almost worn down to the metal backing.  This method stops the pads from going fully down to the metal and scoring your brake discs and becoming dangerous.

If you hear a grinding noise, it’s likely the pads have been worn down completely. If this happens you should not drive the vehicle and arrange for the brakes to be checked and replaced as soon as possible.
 

4.Visual check 

It’s sometimes possible to look at the pads for wear. Depending on the wheels fitted to your vehicle, you may be able to see the outer pad by looking through the spokes of the wheel – the outer pad will be pressed against the brake disc.
 

5.Pulling to one side 

While braking, if the vehicle feels as if it pulls to one side or the other, then you must get this checked out. Uneven pad wear will be caused by an imbalance in the braking efficiency, which needs to be checked and rectified. The most common reasons for this are seized calipers or the pads could be seized in the caliper slides.
 

6.Bad vibrations 

If the brake pedal, the vehicle or the steering wheel vibrates when you push your foot down on it, the pads could be warped due to excessive heat buildup, there is also usually excessive wear or damage to the disc.

If you do not feel comfortable checking your brake pads, take your vehicle to a local dealership or repair shop where a professional can do it for you. Not only will replacing worn brake pads help make your car safer, it may help save money in the long run by helping prevent avoidable accidents.

The friction material is usually molded onto the backing plate using heat and pressure. In some cases, the friction material is forced through holes in the backing plate as it is molded. Also, the backing plate is coated with an adhesive that can withstand high temperatures. These two methods help to keep the friction material from shearing off the metal backing plate.On some premium brake pads, the backing plate will have a mechanical method to secure the friction material to the backing plate. The systems can use small hooks or other attachment devices that become embedded into the molded friction material. This can give an extra sense of security to the driver.

The best source of information is a shop. A repair shop will buy more brake pads in two days than most people will buy in a lifetime.

With this experience, the person at the front counter can help you select the right brake pad for you and your vehicle. Brake pads are one item that most shops will not take a chance on because they have a vested interest in making your vehicle as safe as possible.

Like golf club manufacturers, brake pad manufacturers are always looking for new space age materials to improve their products. These materials names may be throw around like buzzwords in a boardroom, but knowing what these materials can do can help you to make a more informed decision.

Ceramic

When most consumers hear the word “ceramic” they conjure up images of dinner plates being ground up into brake pads. But, even though the materials share the same chemical structure and certain attributes, ceramic fibers in brake pads are some of the most advanced microstructures on the planet. Ceramic material’s structural properties are very stable under high temperatures, like Corning cookware. But this is where the comparison ends. Ceramic materials that go into a brake pad are very small strands that are engineered to be a certain length and width.

There are three advantages of ceramic pads in certain applications. First, since the ceramic materials offer stable performance under a wide range of temperatures, they can offer quiet performance. Second, ceramic brake pads manage heat in the rotor and caliper better on some vehicles than some non-ceramic applications. Third, ceramic brake dust does not show up on or stick to wheels like some other brake pad formulations. This could be am important factor if you have an expensive set of custom wheels.

Kevlar

If you were to hold Kevlar fibers in your hand, it would look like cotton candy. But this innocent looking material is stronger than steel and can stop a bullet, or keep your brake pads together under high temperature and pressure.

Like ceramic materials, it is used as a fiber in brake pads to give them structure. It is a very expensive material, but it can help extend the life of the brake pad.

Semi-Metallic

Semi-Metallic pads use metal fibers to give structure and provide friction. The metals used are typically high quality steel, copper and other exotic metals.

So what is the other part of the semi-metallic mix? It is be a variety of materials like glues, lubricants and structural fibers. The manufacturer will blend the components together to give the best performance for that application.

Confused? Don’t be. A shop can recommend a pad that fits your driving profile and vehicle with a few easy questions.