How to check front brakes pads on Civic 2005 LX?

Title is actually the question.
Thanks!

I am not familiar with Civics, but probably like with other cars, you need to remove the wheel. A big thing that is attached to the rotor is your caliper. There should be a little window in it. Shine a light in it and you will be able to see the thickness of your pads. I would replace the pads it there is about 2 millimeters or less left.

Good luck,
Sam

If you can't see the outer pads through the wheel, then jack the corner of the car up and take the wheel off (loosening the lug nuts a bit before lifting it in the air so they come off easier). Make sure to do this on a nice level ground, to minimize the chance of the car falling off the jack. I usually put, the now removed, rim/tire under the side of the car, so that if the car does fall, it falls on the tire and not immediately me.

Then just take a peak at the outer pad and see how much life is left on it. The inner pad should also have a wear indicator on it. It's basically a flat piece of metal, that sticks out, and then turns back to face the rotor. It starts scraping against the rotor, and makes noise to let you know the pads are done. Not a great indication though, because outside pads can sometimes wear faster than the inner ones, and pads can wear unevenly from one side to the other.

Here's a link to what I believe is the pad for your car. New one verse bad one, as well as what the wear indicator looks like:
http://www.civicforums.com/forums/posts/189-wheels-tires/317170-oem-brake-pads-how-bad-they/4488974-post10.html

http://i.imgur.com/SCEAr.jpg

As you can see (and read in the posters post), there is quite a bit of meat left on that used pad, but it's worn unevenly. But that should give you an idea of what a new pad compared to a used pad will look like, to determine if you should change yours.

CivicSpoon, somick thanks! I'll try!