Brake Pad Wear Indicator
Caution — Service soon
What It Means
The brake pads have worn to their minimum thickness and need replacement. Most modern vehicles have electronic wear sensors embedded in the pads. Continuing to drive with worn pads will damage the brake rotors, turning a $200 pad job into a $500+ pad-and-rotor job.
Common Causes
- Brake pads worn to minimum thickness (2-3mm remaining)
- Brake pad wear sensor wire broken or disconnected
- Uneven pad wear (caliper slide pins seized)
Can I Still Drive?
Schedule pad replacement within 1-2 weeks. You have some remaining friction material — the wear sensor triggers before the pads are metal-to-metal. Listen for grinding: if you hear metal-on-metal scraping, the pads are gone and the rotors are being damaged. Replace pads AND rotors at that point.
Estimated Repair Cost
$150 – $500
This is an estimate only. Actual costs vary by vehicle make, model, year, location, and shop labor rates. Always get multiple quotes for major repairs.
Related OBD-II Trouble Codes
These OBD codes are commonly associated with this warning light. Scan your vehicle with an OBD-II scanner to get the exact code before diagnosing.