It’s a common question, without a common response: How often should I replace my brake pads? There is no set mileage restriction on when to change your brake pads because brake wear varies depending on several driving factors. For example, drivers who encounter more stop and go traffic will need to replace their brake pads more often than drivers who spend most of their time on the highway.

One method most drivers use to determine when to change their brake pads is sound. If you hear a screeching or metal scraping sound when you brake you need to replace your brake pads immediately. By waiting until you hear this noise when braking can cause damage to your rotors as well as other braking components.

The best way to tell when you should replace your brake pads is to visually inspect your pads. This isn’t difficult to do. First make sure the vehicle is parked in a well lit area where you will be able to kneel beside your tires comfortably. You can view the pads by looking through the outside of the wheel rims, or you may need to remove the wheel to get a better look at the brake pads. Upon inspection, if the pad depth is less than 1/4 inch thick, you are over due to replace the brake pads. If your brake pads are less than 1/8 inch thick they need to be changed immediately for your safety.

No other piece of safety equipment on your vehicle is more important than your brakes. Be sure to inspect and replace your brake pads and braking components on a regular basis to keep your vehicle running safely. If you do not feel comfortable inspecting your brake pads yourself, you can always bring your vehicle into Toyota of Tampa Bay for inspection.