Choosing the right car brake pads is an important issue, because it affects the vehicle’s performance and safety. Today’s car brake system is more modern because it has gone through a long development path.
However, all brake components wear out over time and need to be replaced properly. Among them, the most worn part is the brake pads. Choosing the right brake pads is becoming increasingly difficult due to the many options, brands and styles on the market. So what is the right choice?
WHEN YOU SHOULD REPLACE YOUR BRAKE PADS
Most car manufacturers recommend replacing brake pads every 48,000-64,000km. Tires and brakes work together to help stop your vehicle, so it makes sense to have your brake pads and tires checked and replaced at the same time. By replacing the brake pads before they are completely worn out, you will avoid having to replace the brake disc (the part the brake pad touches to prevent the wheel from spinning).
Brake discs should be replaced every time the vehicle runs about 160,000-190,000km. There are a few common symptoms that drivers can recognize when it’s time to replace brake pads:
1. SCREAMING BRAKES
If you press the brake pedal and hear a loud screeching sound, it’s because your brake pads are more than 80% worn. If you do not immediately replace the brake pads, your brake discs will also be affected and you may have to replace the entire brake system, not just the car brake pads.
2. BRAKE PEDAL IS VIBRATING
If you press the brake pedal and you feel a vibration, that’s another sign that the brake pads are worn out. However, this could also be a sign of a warped brake disc or a problem with the ABS system. Therefore, you need the help of professional technicians to intervene and repair.
FACTORS TO NOTE WHEN REPLACEING CAR BRAKE PADS
The type of brake pads you need will depend on your driving style and conditions. For example, brake pads designed for everyday use are rarely exposed to high temperatures. Meanwhile, the brakes of high-performance vehicles will need to handle well at high temperatures.
1. WEATHER
Good car brake pads are the ones that work in all climates, regardless of whether the conditions are dry, wet, muddy, warm or cold.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE
Brake pads also need to function as intended and provide ideal friction whether the temperature is high or low.
3. MAXIMUM OPERATING TEMPERATURE (MOT)
This is the highest temperature that brake pads can withstand before becoming unsafe.
How to choose the right brake pads for your vehicle – Choose the right brake pads to help increase longevity
4. FRICTION REACTION TO TEMPERATURE
Users also need to note how much force they apply to the pedal to get the same response when you apply emergency braking compared to normal braking.
5. LIFE OF BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE DISCS
Both car brake pads and brake discs are parts that easily wear out. You need to consider how long brake pads and brake discs are designed to last.
6. NOISE AND VIBRATION
Pay attention to the noise level, vibration and even the feel of the brake pedal when applying pressure on the brake pads.
7. DIRT
Brake pads are parts that can accumulate dirt and then stick to the wheel.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CURRENT TYPES OF BRAKE PADS
The best advice for you is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when replacing brake pads. To better understand, please refer to the information about the advantages and disadvantages of different types of car brake pads below:
1. ORGANIC BRAKE PADS
The first line of brake pads was made from asbestos – a hard material. However, this substance has been proven to be dangerous to health, leading to many respiratory diseases and should not be used further. From there, organic brake pads were born.
Organic brake pads contain 10 – 30% metal and the remainder is made from plant-based fibers, high-temperature resins and other materials. The part may contain mixtures of materials including kevlar, carbon, glass, rubber… or other plant-based fibers.
In addition, we must mention that NAO organic brake pads do not contain “dangerous” asbestos (non-asbestos organic brake pads). The characteristic of this type of brake pads is that they contain more metal than “organic brake pads”. “fully mechanical” and has greater heat transfer ability than other types of automotive brake pads.
Organic brake pads will often feel smoother and softer. However, organic brake pads have the main disadvantage of not being durable because they wear out quickly and the brake pedal feels weak. This type of brake pad is often used for luxury and light weight cars.
2. SEMI-METAL CAR BRAKE PADS
Most car models today use more semi-metallic brake pads. Semi-metallic brake pads contain 30 – 65% metal by weight. It often includes metals such as copper, iron, and steel combined with graphite lubricants and other materials to help reduce heat buildup.
The surface is made of fillers, glass substances and many other substances to improve the performance and durability of the brake pads. This type of brake pad is often found as OEM for heavy-duty vehicles due to its better durability.
Semi-metallic brake pads also have better stopping performance, making them great for pickup trucks and SUVs. However, this brake pad is subject to more corrosion on the rotors, has a higher noise level and attracts more dust.
3. CERAMIC CAR BRAKE PADS
Ceramic brake pads are the newest type of brake pads on the market. Ceramic brake pads were introduced in the 1980s as a replacement for older asbestos and organic brake pads. This type of brake pad is made from hard ceramic material combined with copper fibers.
Thanks to this unique structure, ceramic brake pads deliver greater and smoother performance. Besides, this brake pad is also considered to have a long lifespan, stable performance and high consistency. However, although it can withstand high temperatures, this brake pad has the disadvantage of not being able to work best in cold climates. The reason lies in the fact that the ceramic material is susceptible to cracking when exposed to cold conditions. In addition, this is also the most expensive type of brake pad.
Brake pads and components are important and must be replaced promptly before complete wear and as recommended by the manufacturer to maintain optimal stopping ability. This will reduce damage to other important brake components such as brake calipers and brake discs.