Types Of Brake Pads You Should Be Aware About

A vehicle with brakes that are not continually checked are dangerous and could cause accidents.  As a driver, learning about braking systems puts you at an advantage. A driver should treat his/her vehicle as if it is a vital part of his/her body.  You take care of your body, right?  You should also take care of your vehicle's brakes by maintaining them in good condition and not waiting for the last minute before you realize you need to replace your brakes. Brake pad replacement is an integral part of maintaining your vehicle. However, before you rush to any car repair shop, it is important to first identify different types of brake pads and how brake pads work.

How Brake Pads Work

Braking systems are made of various parts. It translates the driver’s actions into physical force that stops the car. One of those brake parts is the vehicle’s brake pads.

A brake pad is a vital brake part because it is the part that applies pressure and friction to a vehicle’s brake rotors. The pressure and the friction that is applied to the rotor is the reason for the slowing and stopping of the wheel, therefore when the wheels stop then so will the vehicle.

Types of Brake Pads

The objective of brake pads is to create a mechanical connection between the brake system and drive train. There are different types of brake pads and they all have their own specific characteristics and are suitable for a particular vehicle.

• Ceramic – This is the most expensive material type; and can be found on high-performance vehicles that are usually operated around tight turns with high speed and frequent, quick stops. It has the ultimate braking ability and doesn’t cause excessive wear and tear on brake rotors. Ceramic brake pads also last much longer with less noise levels than the other types of pads. A plus of ceramic pads is they have virtually no brake dust.
• Semi-metallic - This type of brake pad is very durable but the durability can lead to premature wear of brake rotors from the strength of the pads. It has reduced function in very low temperatures in cold climates. The most common vehicles to use this type of pad are pick-up trucks and SUVs.
• Non-metallic/organic – This type of brake pad is made from organic materials which are softer on the rotor. It is created from several types of materials such as glass, or rubber with a resin for use as a binding agent. Because it is a natural product, it is very lightweight and produces very little noise when they are pressing against the drum or rotor.

Changing your brake pads to something more performance-oriented can be a simple and cheap modification to increase your vehicle’s stopping power and can keep you safer.  It can also help in the improvement of your vehicle’s driving performance.

If you are looking for the proper brakes for your vehicle, you can visit brakewarehouse.com.