The brakes on your vehicle are designed to wear over time, and having regular brake inspections is an excellent way to ensure that the disc brake service you use changes the pads before they wear out completely. Unfortunately, it may not always be easy to know when brake pads need to be replaced, but there are some things you can do to monitor them. 

Routine Service

Most cars need to go to the service center or repair shop regularly for oil changes and other service items. This is an excellent time to have the mechanic working on your car check the brakes on all four wheels for you. 

The brake pads are accessible when the car is on the lift, and on some vehicles you can see them without taking the tires off the car. The tech can visually inspect the brake pads and rotors to get an idea of the condition for you, and if they see something that concerns them, they can do a complete brake inspection to determine if disc brake service is required. 

Most people will have a tire rotation done every other oil change, and this is an excellent opportunity to get a closer look at the brake system. The tech can do a free brake inspection when the tires are off during a tire rotation and see more than they could during the oil change. 

Strange Noises Or Vibrations

If you notice a strange sound when you use the brakes in your vehicle, you may have worn brake pads that are going to require a disc brake service center to replace them for you. It is vital to have the pads checked, but some pads produce more noise because of the material used in their construction.

Semi-metallic brake pads have a small amount of steel powder in the friction material to help extend the life of the pads and can sometimes squeal a little. Ceramic brake pads are highly resistant to heat, but they also can produce some squealing during use, but often that is only for the first few days until the brake pads become broken in. It is still a good idea to have a free brake inspection done if your brakes are squealing and you don't know why.

Vibrations in the steering wheel when applying the brakes can also be caused by the brakes and should be checked by a qualified technician. Often the vibration is related to a brake rotor that is out of round or needs to be replaced. The technician can check the rotors for you during the inspection and let you know if there is any damage to them or if the vibration is coming from some other part of the car. 

For more information about disc brake services, contact a local mechanic shop near you to learn more.

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