How to Inspect Front Brake Pads

Driving in a safe car is essential, especially if you are driving around with loved ones. One of the most important things to check on a car is the brakes because you want to be certain that you are able to stop quickly should anything happen. Checking brake pads for wear and tear is easy once you know what you are doing.

1. Make sure that you park your car on flat ground.


2. Apply the emergency brake and make sure that the car is secure. 


3. Make sure to put on eye protection so that no dust, dirt, or debris gets into your eyes. 


4. Use the tire iron to loosen the lug nuts on the tire you are interested in inspecting first. 


5. Check your car's user manual for the proper position to place the jack. 


6. Place the jack in the proper location and carefully raise the car off the ground. 


7. Use the tire iron to finish removing the lug nuts from the tire. Place the nuts in a location where you are certain they will not be lost. 


8. Remove the wheel from the car. 


9. Look at the brake pad and check for noticeable wear and tear. 


10. Measure to see how thick the brake pad is. Check your owner’s manual and see how thick the brake pad needs to be before it needs to be replaced. 


11. Make sure that the pad has worn evenly. 


12. If the brake pad needs to be replaced it should be immediately. If the pad does not need to be replaced the tire should be replaced on the car. 


13. Put the lug nuts back on in a star formation. 


14. Carefully lower the car back to the ground using the jack. 


15. Finish tightening the lug nuts until they cannot be tightened anymore.