Many drivers take the brakes on their cars for granted, not giving them very much thought until they start making unusual noises or when braking performance becomes noticeably poor. The braking system is not only a vehicle’s most important safety feature but by doing their job properly, brakes save lives. And among the most vital components of a braking system are the brake pads.
Better brake pads are made from higher quality materials resulting in:
- Superior stopping power
- Longer life
- Quieter braking
- Less brake dust
There are plenty of valid arguments to be made as far as which part of a braking system is the most crucial for effectively stopping a vehicle’s motion. Brake pads are definitely a big part of that conversation and considering that they are the component that is replaced most regularly, brake pad quality does matter, and better brake pads do make a difference. The reasons are below, so read on.
Better Brake Pads Do Make a Difference. Here’s Why.
At some point, every vehicle owner will have to service the brake system and this periodically involves replacing the brake pads because they are designed to be consumable (i.e., they wear down over time with regular use) components.
Given the longevity of automobiles today, it is reasonable to expect that over the life of a vehicle, the brake pads will need to be replaced multiple times. It is easy to see why it would be tempting to simply go with the lowest-priced brake pads available since they will need to be replaced again sooner or later. But for various reasons, not the least of which is road safety, it would be best to resist this temptation.
Better Brake Pads Mean Better Performance
Simply put, better brake pads do make a difference, and in more ways than one, starting with their ability to stop a moving car faster and more effectively.
Here is a look at the various ways that higher quality brake pads outperform inferior ones:
- Braking performance – higher quality brake pads perform better than lower-end pads where it matters most, which is in the areas of stopping power, braking consistency in all temperature conditions, and better brake feel (i.e., less sponginess when the brake pedal is pressed down)
- Brake fade – better brake pads provide greater resistance to dreaded brake fade, which is when brake pads lose their ability to generate friction (which is what actually slows down a car), typically due to the pads’ inability to dissipate the heat created during hard or prolonged braking
- Brake pad durability – the use of higher quality materials increases the longevity of brake pads so that they last longer and require less frequent replacement
- Greater adaptability – higher quality brake pads are also better adapted to driving conditions that put greater stresses on brakes, such as driving on steep inclines, frequent braking in stop and go traffic, or the hard braking used by drivers of sports cars
- Noise and residue – along with enhanced performance, better brake pads are typically quieter (e.g., less squeaking or whistling noises during braking) and they also produce less brake dust which can quickly accumulate on rims and other brake system components
When it comes to braking systems, there can be no one-size-fits-all approach to brake pads because there are different types of vehicles and driving conditions can vary. For peak braking performance, it is about matching the right type of pads with a particular set of circumstances, and the willingness to invest in high-quality components.
Brake Pad Materials Do Matter
As far as the types of materials that they are made from, modern brake pads fall into three major categories and they correspond to levels of quality.
Here they are:
- Organic brake pads (also known as NAO – non-asbestos organic) – this is the most common type of brake pad (67% of new vehicles come with these factory-installed) material consisting of rubber, carbon compounds, glass or fiberglass, and Kevlar, mixed together and bonded with resin; organic brake pads are suitable for the braking demands of everyday driving
- Semi-metallic brake pads – as the name suggests, this type of brake pad contains anywhere from 30% to 70% metal content (such as copper, iron, steel, and other alloys), which makes for highly heat-resistant brake pads that dissipate heat efficiently (and are therefore suitable for hard-braking applications) but also tend to be noisy and produce lots of brake dust
- Ceramic brake pads – similar in makeup to ceramic pottery and dinnerware, ceramic brake pads provide quiet, dust-free braking throughout a broad range of operating temperatures, and as a result, these tend to be the more expensive option than organic and semi-metallic
As far as higher-quality brake pads are concerned, the choice of material will come down to semi-metallic or ceramic, and the decision will likely hinge on the type of driving involved, the braking power needed, and the willingness to pay more for quiet operation.
Final Thoughts
As we have seen, there is a wide variety of brake pads and the materials that are used to make them. Surely, not every driver needs top-of-the-line performance from their brakes unless they happen to drive race cars for a living. But given the fact that a car’s brakes are its most important safety feature, more often than not, installing better brake pads is an investment worth making.
