The Main Issues to Choose Brake Pads

Someday, all spare parts of the car wear out and require replacement, and it doesn’t matter how expansive and up-to-date your car is. Brake Pads aren’t an exception, what is more, they should be replaced before they were worn out completely, as this unit is really important. Somehow, your life depends on them.

So, what are the main issues you will face up with, during the choose of the new brake pads?

1. When do you need to replace brake pads?
2. Do brake pads have a huge influence over the performance car’s characteristics?
3. What features you should pay attention to?
4. You must use only OEM components, mustn’t you?

When do you need to replace brake pads?

The brake system is one of the most important components in the car. Therefore, the choice of its components should be approached with considerable attention. First of all, to find info when to change brake pads you can read the car manual. Usually, you need to do it every 30 000/40 000 miles. As to brake rotors, you can replace them every 100 000/120 000 miles. There are two symptoms, which informs you that something has gone wrong with brakes. Firstly, it is brake squealing and secondly, it is brake pedal pulses.

Do brake pads have a huge influence over the performance car’s characteristics?

Brake pads can be attributed to the highly loaded elements of the car. Depending on the manner and driving conditions, the temperature of the working material of the pads reaches 300 – 350 °C in normal operation and rises to 800 – 900 °C in sports and extreme driving. These figures are significantly dependent on the type of brake pads.

1. Semi-Metallic Brake Pads

They have good heat transfer and wear resistance, and disadvantages-reducing the service life of the brake disc, inefficient operation at low temperatures and increased noise.

2. Organic Brake Pads

Advantages of such pads is a quick response ("grip") and low noise. Disadvantages are low wear resistance (soft pads) and the formation of dust, which can clog the holes of ventilated brake discs.

3. Pads with low content of the metal

They have improved heat-exchange and wear resistance, but causes the formation of even more dust and increased noise.

4. Ceramic Brake Pads

The most wear-resistant, work perfectly at high temperatures. However, they are the most expensive and almost do not tolerate working conditions at low temperatures.

What features you should pay attention to?Weather Performance

1. Maximum Operating Temperature (MOT)
2. Friction Response to Temperature
3. Pad and Rotor Lifetime
4. Noise and Vibration
5. Dust Levels

You must use only OEM components, mustn’t you?

OEM - Original equipment manufacturer. Purchase of brake pads from the original equipment manufacturer is the best way to get high-quality car units. On the other hand, there are many specialized companies that produce quality products. When choosing brake pads, as well as any other spare parts, it is important to pay attention to the brand itself (what users say about it), check the certificates (their compliance in the country of manufacture and sale) and check the warranty.