Without a doubt, if you have brakes that are due for a replacement, it is in your best interest to go ahead and have them replaced. However, if you spot the problem mid-week and you cannot get into the mechanic for several days or if you don't yet have the money for brake pad replacement, you may feel a little stuck. While driving with worn brake pads is never a good idea, there are a few things you can do to ensure your safety while you wait for the day you can get your brakes replaced.
Reduce your speed while driving
Because brakes give your vehicle stopping power, when the brake pads are starting to wear out, it means your stopping power will be somewhat compromised. When you drive with worn brakes, it is always best to reduce your speed in such a way that if you see something ahead, you will have an ample amount of time to stop. If your usual route to work or otherwise has you traveling on high-speed highways, try an alternative route and start leaving earlier so you can reduce your speed and still be able to stop safely when you need to. Stay in the slow lane and be consistently cautious of the rate of speed you are traveling.
Do what you can to lighten the weight of your vehicle
The heavier your car or truck is as it is moving down the highway, the greater your brakes will have to work in order to stop when you push the brake pedal. Therefore, when your brakes are wearing out, it is best to do whatever you can to make sure you are not hauling around a lot of extra weight. Skip the carpool for the week because extra passengers will mean extra weight. Remove bulky items you normally carry from your trunk or truck bed. And, it is best if you don't try towing a utility trailer or anything related until your brakes are replaced.
Check your brake fluid
Brakes that are starting to wear out will often use more brake fluid than usual, and the last thing you want is worn-thin brake pads and no brake fluid for lubrication, which can be a recipe for disaster because you can actually lose brake pressure. If you are driving around with brakes that need to be replaced, keep a close eye on brake fluid levels and replace fluid as necessary.
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