I have a 2006 Civic. The front drivers side tire seems to be emitting a scraping sound. It goes away when I come to a stop, it doesn’t get worse or anything. It does it about once everytime I drive, then I hit the brakes and it goes away.

Do I need to change my Brake Pads?
They never squealed or anything like that. All of a sudden they just started making that scraping sound.

The brakes have a wear indicator that makes a scraping sound when the brakes are due to be replaced.

If you don’t replace them, the pads wear down to the metal and start to wear on the rotor making a scraping sound. Most likely it needs brake work.

If you jack the car to check it, you will need put blocks under it. I know people that have died when cars fell on the while on a jack. Do not get under a car on a jack!!!! Get help if you don’t know what you are doing.

You should get someone familiar with brakes to look at it. I know too many women that have taken cars to a mechanic and been cheated because the mechanic expects they don’t know about cars. It is better to know before you get to the mechanic what you need. I have even seen them show parts that don’t belong to the car, telling them it needs to be replaced. Take an experienced person with you. Don’t blindly trust the mechanic. Unfortunately there are some crooks out there and it can easily cost you $1000 or more.

Auto Repair & Maintenance : How to Change Brake Pads