If you have noticed that your brakes seem to slip whenever you try to stop your car, the cause could be that your brake pads are wearing down. If you suspect this could be the case, look for the following signs that your car's brake pads are worn and need replacing.

Brake Pedal Vibrates When Applied

If you are having problems with slowing your car down when you apply the brakes, pay attention to how the brake pedal feels when you depress it. If you feel your foot vibrating as you push the pedal down, this is one sign that the pads' surfaces have worn down and become uneven.

When your pads are in optimal condition, their surfaces are smooth, allowing them to glide along the discs on your car's wheels. However, as they wear down, grooves and crevices form, causing rough contact with your wheels.

When they press against the discs, the vibrations caused by the uneven surfaces affect the brake pedal and can be felt when your foot is in contact with it. If you continue to drive with the bad brake pads, the surface damage will deepen and the vibrations will become more noticeable. 

Noises Are Heard When Stopping

Another sign indicating that your brake pads are wearing down is the presence of a noise that is heard while your car is stopping. Normally, when the pads are even, they keep the brake calipers even as they depress around the wheels' discs.

However, as the pads start to wear down, the calipers are forced out of alignment. Whenever you apply the brakes, they will shift slightly and create a clicking sound as they try to readjust for the misalignment.  

As the pads start to wear down even more, this clicking noise will become louder. Then, as the pads become so thin that the metal beneath them is exposed, this clicking will become accompanied by a high-pitched screech. 

If you start hearing the screeching sound, the bare metal is digging into your wheels' discs. Not only will this cause permanent damage to the wheels, but the metal scraping on metal will not fully stop your vehicle, putting you in danger of crashing.

If you notice any of the above signs, your brake pads are worn down and should be replaced as soon as possible to ensure you safety while driving. Take your car to a repair shop like Heritage Auto Pro so they can inspect the pads and replace them before they become so worn that they start digging into the discs of your wheels and cause permanent damage.