It might be hard to realize when you should replace your break pads. But there are some signs that can indicate that you need to change them. It is not a good idea to ignore it; it can cause more trouble in the long run.
Here are the most common signs of something wrong with your breaks: squealing brakes, spongy brake pedals, grinding of the brakes, wheel garbs, the car pulling from one side to the other, break pedal pumping. Be sure to notice if there are any signs of these when you are driving.
Once you notice any of these problems you should then have your car and brake pads inspected, which should reveal that your brakes are worn and need to get replaced. If that is the case, it can be a little easy on you.
The next step would depend on how much knowledge, time and money you have to invest. If you look around you can probably find a garage that will offer free brake inspections, which can help you determine what exactly is wrong with your breaks.
You can ask your mechanic for a complete diagnosis of your break system. They will also give an estimate of how much it will cost you and what parts need to be repaired.
If you feel confident enough to do the job yourself, you can save quite a bit of money. You can not only save money on the labor but on the parts as well. You should shop around to get a good deal on part. A good place to check out would be the internet. Shopping online can give you more selections and save you a lot of money.
In the end all that matters is that you have your breaks fixed, so you can get on the road again.