How do I tell that my brakes need replacing?

What you need to know:

  • Occasionally it can also be caused by a leak of brake fluid which makes the brakes spongy.
  • A sudden drop of the brake fluid level which also triggers a warning lamp can be a sign that your brake pads are worn out and the fluid level drop is due to displacement after the brake calliper piston extends outwards.

Hi Paul, I am a fairly new driver, driving a VW Golf. How can I know when my brakes are due for servicing or replacement? Jeremy Kasule

Hello Jeremy, for your own and public safety, car brakes should always be in perfect condition.
You need to pay close attention (look and listen carefully) to observe the working condition of your brakes.

Your car has brake pads (steel backing plates with frictional material) on the front and rear axles which wear out with time.

You can check for wear of brake pads by looking at them between spaces in the wheel spokes (alloys). The outside pad will be pressed against a metal rotor disc.

The pad width should not be less than 1/4 inch. A brake pad wear test kit can be useful when measuring the pad width to determine safe width (green) or dangerous pad width (red).

Some modern cars such as your VW Golf have replaceable brake wear sensors which are designed to detect damage and when they exceed the safe limit, they switch on a warning light.

A metal shim indicator is fitted on brake pads of some older car models. This shim will make an audible screeching sound as it comes into contact with the disc rotors if your pads are worn-out beyond the safe limit.

Reduced brake performance or response, especially when the brake pedal sinks closer to the floor when applied, can be a sign of brake pad wear.

Occasionally it can also be caused by a leak of brake fluid which makes the brakes spongy.

A sudden drop of the brake fluid level which also triggers a warning lamp can be a sign that your brake pads are worn out and the fluid level drop is due to displacement after the brake calliper piston extends outwards.