How is brake pad thickness evaluated?

Measuring brake pad thickness using a gauge is the most accurate and reliable method for evaluating the condition of the brake pads. Gauges are specifically designed to provide precise measurements, allowing for an assessment of how much material remains on the pads. This is crucial because brake pads need to have sufficient thickness to ensure effective braking performance and safety.

Visually inspecting brake pads by eye can lead to inaccuracies, as it is difficult to gauge thickness just by looking. Knowing the manufacturer's specifications is helpful, but without measuring, it doesn’t provide a current and accurate evaluation of the actual pad thickness on the vehicle. Testing brake responsiveness, while an indicator of overall brake performance, does not directly assess pad thickness and could lead to misleading conclusions regarding the state of the pads. Thus, using a gauge is the most standardized and effective approach for determining brake pad thickness.