Can You Drive With Worn Brake Pads?
Drive with caution (short trips only)Caution: Light brake squeal usually means it’s time to schedule a pad replacement, but if you hear grinding or the pedal feels weak or spongy, stop driving and fix the brakes immediately.
Worn brake pads reduce stopping power and can damage rotors. Metal‑on‑metal grinding means you are out of friction material.
Quick answer
For worn brake pads, the short answer is you can usually drive a short distance with caution. You should still have a mechanic confirm the cause as soon as you can.
What this means for your car
This page is a general driving‑safety guide, not a diagnosis. The exact risk depends on your car, how it’s behaving, and whether other warning lights or symptoms are present. When in doubt, it’s always safer to park the car and arrange a tow rather than “seeing if it makes it home.”