There are a number of symptoms that might suggest it’s time to change your brake pads, which mainly fall into three categories:
Unusual noises
If your brakes start making clicking, screeching or grinding sounds, and these continue for more than a short period when you first start driving, there’s a good chance your pads need to be changed.
Some cars include a piece of metal that extends into the pads to deliberately make a high-pitched squeal, to alert the driver when the pads have run out.
Changes in the way the car feels when braking
If the brakes feel like they are pulsating when braking that is, grabbing hard and then releasing over and over again very quickly when you apply the brake or if the car feels like it’s pulling to one side when you’re braking, it’s likely you need new brake pads.
Visual clues
If you can see grooves appearing in your brake discs through the spokes of your wheels, this is also a sign a replacement pads are needed.