Stupid question...brake pads
 

I know this is a stupid question, but how
can one tell if they're brake pads are going? or need to be replaced.
They squeek very slightly why I just touch the breaks. But when I look at the pads, they have about 2-3mm of "pad".
Are there any early warning sign's or is there a break light or somehing?

my car is about 20k miles on it and i've been driving it pretty hard.

On the pads them selves you will see alittle metal tab on the side of the pad when it gets close to this tab it is time to change the pads or the little metal tabs will start to hit the rotors and make screaching noises everytime you hit the breaks and will start to put a grove into the rotor. Your front pads always go first and then the back almost like an oil change first one change oil and filter second one oil, oil filter, air filter and then repeat. Same with brakes replace front then second time around front and back and then repeat step one. But if you get lifetime shoes the replacement will be less and if it has to be done it will be free. Longevity on pads front between 15 and 20 thousand miles back 25 to 30 thousand depending on how you drive and if your miles are city or highway.

Oh and although a good idea you have about the light the Tib doesn't have any warning system except when you start to hear the noise or feel a grinding when ever you push down on the brake pedal. Good idea though it could make you millions.

The funny thing about this is that my brakes have been squelling since the first day i got my car, and when i took it to get looked at they told me it was the new metallic brakes they use now. weird that when other new cars pull up next to me i don't hear they're brakes squell

tell your service guy to machine the edges off the pads a bit, and put some brake quieter grease on the back of the pads. That may quiet it down a bit.