What should be checked during a brake inspection?

During a brake inspection, checking the thickness of the brake pads is essential for ensuring the proper function and safety of the vehicle's braking system. Brake pads are designed to wear down over time as they make contact with the brake rotor to slow or stop the vehicle. If the pads become too thin, they may not provide adequate friction, which can lead to longer stopping distances, braking failure, or damage to other components like the rotors.

Maintaining the correct thickness ensures optimal braking performance and helps prevent costly repairs due to excessive wear. Brake pad thickness is typically measured in millimeters, and most manufacturers provide minimum thickness recommendations that should not be exceeded to ensure safety while driving. Regular checks of the brake pads can help identify when they need to be replaced before they reach a critical level.

While other factors like the color of the brake fluid, the age of the brake components, and the sound of the braking system can provide useful insights into the condition of the brakes, the physical measurement of the brake pad thickness directly relates to the immediate effectiveness and safety of the braking system.