4 Signs Your GMC Needs a Brake Pad Replacement

Your car is made up of a mixture of parts that last for different amounts of time. Some should last for many, many years before they need to be replaced, while other parts wear down and need to be replaced more frequently. The GMC dealership can take care of everything for you, from replacing a faulty engine part to a simple brake pad replacement.

4 Signs Your GMC Needs a Brake Pad Replacement from Your Local GMC Dealership

1. The Brake Pads Look Thin

Peek between fuel bills and look at the brake pads every few weeks. Note what they look like when they’re new, then what as they get thinner over time. When they start looking particularly thin, around 1/4 of an inch thick or less, they visit the dealer to get them checked by a professional. They should never be allowed to get thinner than 1/4 of an inch thick, as you’ll compromise your safety by driving with pads that are thinner than that.

2. The Brake Pad Life Monitor Alert

Many modern GMC vehicles have systems in place that warn you when it’s time for certain types of maintenance. The Brake Pad Life Monitor is one of these systems. If the sensors detect that your brake pads are too thin, then you’ll see a warning about it in your instrument cluster.

3. The Brake Pad Wear Indicator Is Exposed

Brake pads usually have a wear indicator. This is a small metal component that becomes exposed when your brake pads get too thin, and then it begins scratching against your rotors. It creates a distinct metallic shrieking noise that you’ll hear when you activate the brakes. Be sure to get the brake pads replaced as soon as you start hearing this noise, as the pads will get thinner and thinner, and your rotors may become damaged.

4. The Brakes Start Growling

Growling and grinding noises can appear if you go too long before replacing your brake pads. You’ll hear the screeching we just mentioned first. If you don’t replace the pads, then the noise will gradually turn into growling as more and more of the pad wears away. You may end up with no pad left, leaving the caliper to press against the disc. This scratches your rotors and makes your car unsafe to drive, as the brakes won’t work very effectively.

Visit Dutch Miller’s Beckley Automall in Beckley, WV, if you need to replace your brake pads. We perform all kinds of break maintenance, whether it’s simple or serious.

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