Choosing Brake Pads For Your Car

A car’s brake pads make friction with the brake disc rotors that sit inside the wheels, causing the wheels to slow and stop. Brake pads have to generate a lot of heat in order to do this, which causes them to lose a tiny bit of material with every use. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can reduce the stopping power of the car and lead to excessive wear on both the pad and the rotor. In some cases, the pads may also create excessive amounts of brake dust.

To counter this issue, the best pads are engineered to be as durable as possible. There are many different types of brake pad materials, and each has a slightly different effect on the vehicle’s performance. Some of these factors include how quickly the pads wear, their ability to disperse heat, and the amount of noise and dust they produce.

Choosing the right pads for your car takes a little research. It’s easy to be misled by slick packaging, clever marketing, and pushy parts guys, but the fact of the matter is that there are many good choices out there.

There are two main kinds of pads on the market, organic and metallic. Most major brands have at least one of each, and they all offer several options for each. Organic pads, sometimes referred to as semi-metallic, tend to be less expensive than metal-based options but aren’t built for heavy duty driving. They are typically easier on the rotors but do not last as long as other compounds and tend to produce more brake dust.

The better choice for those who are looking to upgrade from standard pads is a full-metallic option. These are typically designed for performance applications and will provide better braking power than the factory pads and can also withstand higher temperatures without losing effectiveness. However, they do require a little more time to warm up than traditional pads and can emit a small amount of noise.

Ceramic brake pads are another option. They are a popular upgrade for those looking to improve the performance of their stock calipers. These pads are typically much quieter than metallic or semi-metallic options and can even be bought as a kit with new rotors for a comprehensive rebuild. However, they do require a bit more warm-up than conventional pads and can often cause brake fade when used under heavy conditions.

Regardless of the type of pad you choose, it is important to regularly clean them. Using a quality brake cleaner that can be applied directly to the pads or to a lint-free rag, and then wiped over the entire surface of the pad will help to remove any dirt or dust that might be clinging to them. This will help to prevent the buildup of unwanted material and ensure that your brake pads continue to perform at their best.