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Does Subaru have a brake pad indicator?

Yes, Subaru vehicles are equipped with a brake pad wear indicator that alerts drivers when their brake pads need to be replaced. This feature helps ensure the safety and performance of Subaru's braking systems.


Brake Pad Wear Indicator in Subaru Vehicles


Subaru's brake pad wear indicator is a simple yet effective system that monitors the thickness of the brake pads. As the brake pads wear down over time, the indicator will alert the driver that it's time to have the pads inspected and potentially replaced.


The brake pad wear indicator in Subaru vehicles typically consists of a sensor that is integrated into the brake pad assembly. This sensor monitors the thickness of the brake pad material and sends a signal to the vehicle's computer system when the pads have worn down to a certain threshold, usually around 3-4 millimeters of remaining pad thickness.


How the Brake Pad Indicator Works


When the brake pad wear indicator detects that the pads have worn down to the predetermined threshold, it will trigger a warning light on the vehicle's dashboard. This warning light is usually labeled as "brake pad wear" or something similar, alerting the driver that they need to have their brake pads inspected and potentially replaced.


In some Subaru models, the brake pad wear indicator may also trigger a message on the vehicle's display screen, providing more detailed information about the brake pad condition and the need for service.


Importance of Replacing Brake Pads



  • Safety: Worn brake pads can significantly reduce the braking performance of a vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents and potentially compromising the safety of the driver, passengers, and other road users.

  • Maintenance: Replacing brake pads at the recommended intervals is an essential part of routine vehicle maintenance, helping to ensure the long-term reliability and performance of the braking system.

  • Cost savings: Ignoring the brake pad wear indicator and delaying brake pad replacement can lead to more extensive and costly damage to other braking components, such as the brake rotors or calipers, ultimately resulting in higher repair bills.


By providing a brake pad wear indicator, Subaru helps its customers stay on top of this critical maintenance task, promoting safe and reliable driving experiences.

Where is the brake pad wear indicator?


If the pads look thin, less than 4 millimeters, or there's only 20% pad life left, it's time to get them replaced. On some brake pads, you might see a metal wear indicator tab down the side of the pad.



Is there an indicator light for brake pads?


Brake pads can have a safety feature of electronic wear sensors. When the brake pads get worn beyond the minimum thickness, the sensor will trigger a warning light on your dashboard that it is time to replace the brakes.



Where is the brake warning light located?


Just about every car, truck or SUV has a series of warning lights located on the instrument cluster of the dashboard. Among them is a brake system warning light that lights up and tells you when something is wrong with your brake system.



Do subarus have brake sensors?


Your Subaru car has a sensor that detects if the parking brake is engaged in any way. if that is the case, the sensors trigger the brake light to come on.



What is the indicator to change brake pads?


Squeaking or Squealing Noises
This noise is caused by a small metal indicator built into the brake pads, known as a wear indicator. When the friction material wears down to a certain point, the wear indicator scrapes against the brake rotor, creating the noise as an early warning sign.



Can you tell how much brake pad is left?


On many cars, the brake pad can be seen through the wheel. Look at it to determine its thickness. If it seems very thin, it might need to be inspected and possibly replaced, according to J.D. Power. Additionally, some brake pads have a slot in the center that serves as a wear indicator.



What is the brake system warning light on a Subaru?


Driving with the brake system warning light on is dangerous. This indicates your brake system may not be working properly. If the light remains illuminated, have the brakes inspected by a SUBARU dealer immediately. If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating properly, do not drive the vehicle.



Is there a brake light on the dashboard?


Your vehicle's dashboard brake light indicators are there for your safety. When one appears, determine what the warning light is trying to tell you and then diagnose the issue. If it's simply your parking brake, the light will likely disappear when you engage and disengage it a few times.



How do you tell if you need new brake pads?


Look for these signs to know when to replace brake pads or shoes:

  1. SQUEALING OR SCREECHING NOISES.
  2. LESS THAN A QUARTER INCH OF BRAKE PAD.
  3. DEEP METALLIC GRINDING AND GROWLING.
  4. INDICATOR LIGHTS.



Does my car have a brake warning light?


The location of the brake warning light on the dashboard will vary from vehicle to vehicle, but it tends to look the same in every car. The symbol is a circle containing an exclamation mark, and the circle is surrounded on each side by what look like rounded brackets.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.