If your vehicle has a disc braking system, then it has a brake pad and brake rotor attached to every wheel. When you drive your vehicle and the wheels are spinning, your brake rotors are spinning too. To slow down the vehicle, you step on the brake pedal which causes the brake pads to squeeze against the rotating brake rotor discs. The harder you apply pressure to the brake pedal, the more friction that is created to slow down the vehicle.
People often assume that brake pads are all the same. But there are actually several types of brake pads available to choose from. Some brake pads are better quality than others, but they’re also priced differently too. In most cases, the braking system in your vehicle will either have organic brake pads or ceramic brake pads. Each one has its own unique qualities, so it is up to you to decide which brake pad suits your needs the most.
Ceramic Brake Pads
If you want brake pads which last for a long time, then you’ll want to choose ceramic brake pads. The wear and tear on your brake rotors are greatly reduced when using ceramic brake pads. There will only be a small amount of dust created by the braking actions too. The good thing is that this dust won’t stay attached to your wheels and cause problems for them. No matter what the temperature is outside, ceramic brake pads can easily adapt to these changes.
People who drive economy cars should choose ceramic brake pads in order to save money in the long run. Now, it is true that ceramic brake pads cost more money upfront than organic brake pads. But since ceramic brake pads last longer, you won’t need to replace your brake pads as quickly as you would with organic brake pads.
Ceramic brake pads have more strength and durability than organic brake pads. The only brake pads which are stronger than ceramic are metallic brake pads. Metallic is what you’d want for a bigger vehicle, such as a sports utility vehicle or truck. You cannot use ceramic brake pads in these vehicles, though. Stick with regular size vehicles when you want to use ceramic brake pads.
Read also:
- 7 Causes of Grinding Noise & Vibration When Braking
- 5 Causes of a Brake Pads Wear Unevenly
- Brake Fluid Leak Symptoms and Repair Cost
Organic Brake Pads
Organic brake pads are manufactured with only natural materials. The two main organic materials used are glass and rubber. A fancier organic brake pad model may contain Kevlar in it as well. One thing you’ll love about organic brake pads is they’re quiet when you apply the brakes. These brake pads are also softer too. But the best part is that organic brake pads are inexpensive for the average car owner on a budget.
Organic brake pads will serve you well if you’re a casual driver who regularly drives around their town or city. As for long-distance drivers, you may not like organic brake pads as much. The organic materials of these brake pads tend to be more fragile and less durable. If you frequently apply your brakes at faster speeds, the organic brake pad materials suffer additional wear and tear. Not only that, but a lot more dust particles will form too.
If you’re not careful, the organic brake pads can overheat fast if they’re worn down enough. This will take away the friction that you need to slow the vehicle down. It will also damage your brake rotors if it goes on for too long. Therefore, you should only use organic brake pads with smaller vehicles and when you’re not going to do a lot of heavy braking.
If you’re still not sure about any of this, just ask your local mechanic to advise you on which brake pads to get. In most cases, they’ll recommend the ceramic brake pads.
