Squealing Brakes
A high-pitched squeal when braking is often a built-in wear indicator telling you the pads are getting low — but not always.
Should you keep driving?
A squeal is an early warning, not an emergency, but it usually means the pads are wearing down. Get them checked soon.
Common causes
Pad wear indicatorA small metal tab squeals on purpose when the pads are near their limit.
Glazed or cheap padsOverheated or low-quality pads can squeal even with life left.
Dust and rustMorning squeal that goes away after a few stops is often just surface rust.
Missing shims or lubeVibration from a hardware/lube issue causes noise without heavy wear.
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