Perhaps the most obvious sign that your brakes need attention is a high pitched squeal when you come to a stop. Brake pad manufacturers typically include a piece called an indicator on the pad itself. When the material wears down, the metal piece begins to touch the vehicle’s rotor, making a sound that’s difficult to ignore. Depending on how hard you drive, this sound indicates that you should get your brake pads replaced within the month.
Sometimes the indicator falls off or there is no indicator at all. If your vehicle is taking longer than usual to stop or if your brake pedal travels farther than it used to, it’s a good idea to have your brakes checked.