How Many Types of Brake Pads Are There?

Staying on top of vehicle maintenance is crucial to the life of your car. Brake maintenance and repairs are also important to your safety. If your vehicle is in need of brake pad replacement, it is not something you should procrastinate on. Having your vehicle seen in a brake repair shop by a professional mechanic will increase the safety of your vehicle. When having brake pads replaced, you should be aware that there are four main types available. Let’s take a quick look at the different options to better understand which one will be best for you.

Semi-Metallic Pads

Semi-metallic pads are approximately 30%-65% metal. The metals used are often steel wool, wire, copper or others. People often chose these types of brake pads because they are very durable. One downside, however, is that they can be harsh on rotors. You may notice that although the pads last longer, the rotors will wear down faster. Semi-metallic brake pads are sometimes not recommended for drivers in areas that experience very low temperatures.

Non-Asbestos Organic

This type of pad is also sometimes referred to as NAO. These pads are created using organic materials such as fiber, rubber, Kevlar, or glass. Because of the type of material used, these pads are often softer and will not create much noise when braking. The use of softer materials, though, does contribute to the pads wearing out much faster than pads made from other materials. This type of brake pad also makes a lot of brake dust which can make cleaning your wheels and tire more difficult.

Low Metallic NAO

This is a combination brake pad that is both made from organic material as well as some metal. This type of pad provides excellent braking. However, braking can be noisy and there is often a good deal of brake dust to clean.

Ceramic Brake Pads

This type of brake pad option is created mostly of ceramic fibers. It can be combined with other filler materials as well. This type of pad is often more expensive. However, they are considered to be much cleaner than other types. This type of brake pad also creates very little noise. Ceramic pads are also easy on rotors, which can extend the life of the rotors.

Which For You?

The best way to decide which brake pads are best for your vehicle is to talk with a brake shop mechanic. This professional will be able to offer advice on how best to maintain your brakes.

Categorised in: Brake Service

This post was written by admin