What indicates that brakes are wearing out?

Brakes wearing out typically manifests through warning lights or unusual noises, such as squeaking or grinding. These noises often serve as alerts that brake pads are reaching the end of their lifespan or that the brake rotors may be damaged. Squeaking can indicate that the pads are worn down to the indicator, while grinding noises may suggest that the pads have worn away completely, leading to metal-on-metal contact which can damage the braking system and significantly impair functionality.

The other options, while they might relate to vehicle performance, do not specifically indicate brake wear as clearly as warning lights and sounds do. Increased fuel consumption might suggest issues with engine performance or alignment rather than brakes directly. Vibrations while driving could indicate problems with tires or alignment, and loss of steering control usually suggests issues with the steering system or suspension rather than braking. Hence, warning lights and unusual noises are the most directly linked to brake wear and condition.