How can you identify a worn-out brake pad?

Identifying a worn-out brake pad can often be accomplished by checking for a warning indicator. Many modern vehicles are equipped with brake pad wear indicators, which are designed to make a screeching noise when the pads have worn down to a certain point. This audible warning serves as an effective reminder to the driver that the brake pads need to be replaced to maintain safe braking performance.

While other methods, like consulting the vehicle's manual or testing brake fluid, can provide useful information about vehicle maintenance, they are not direct indicators of brake pad wear. The vehicle's manual may include specifications or visual cues for checking brake pads, but it doesn’t provide real-time feedback on their condition. Checking brake fluid, while important for the hydraulic system, does not directly correlate with the state of the brake pads. Similarly, measuring brake pedal pressure provides insight into the operation of the braking system as a whole but does not specifically reveal the wear level of the pads. Thus, the most straightforward and reliable way to identify worn-out brake pads is through the presence of a warning indicator.