There are certain realities to owning a car, and regular maintenance and service are first and foremost among them. Changing your oil, rotating your tires, and having periodic tune-ups are vital to keeping your car running. It is also crucial that you regularly inspect and service your brakes, and it is only a matter of time, not a question of if but when you will need to change your brake pads.

In this article, we take a close look at brake pads: a complete buyer’s guide in which we answer your questions. What are brake pads, and what do they do? Are there different types? How frequently do brake pads need to be replaced, and what are the telltale signs to look out for? These questions and more are answered in-depth so that you will know with confidence which brake pads to buy.

The more you know about critical braking system components like the brake pads, the better your ability to recognize the telltale signs that they need service and the wiser your choice for replacing them. Considering that they are your vehicle’s most vital safety feature, it would be wise to learn everything there is to know about brake pads, and this buyer’s guide is the best place to start.

What Are Brake Pads and How do They Work?

Brake pads are found on disc braking systems, which are the most common type of brakes found on cars today. (On drum brakes, the counterpart to the pad is the brake shoe.) Disc brakes are favored for their braking efficiency, which derives from their ability to generate friction and dissipate heat. The pads work in unison with the calipers and the rotor (disc) to stop a vehicle’s motion.

Attached to each wheel hub is a brake rotor, which is a large flat disc that rotates in unison with the tire. Mounted above each disc is a u-shaped brake caliper that has two brake pads mounted on opposing sides. While the vehicle is in motion, the brake disc rotates freely in the gap between the pads (unless a pad or caliper is misaligned in which case the pad will scrape against the rotor).

When the brakes are applied, hydraulic pistons in the caliper push the pads inward against the inner and outer surfaces of the rotor, essentially squeezing the disc between them. As the surfaces of the pads are forced against the surfaces of the rotor, the kinetic energy of the vehicle’s motion is converted into friction, which stops the car. The specific material used to fabricate the pad is critical to braking effectiveness.

What Are the Different Types of Brake Pad Materials

Although brake pad sizes and thicknesses can vary depending on the type of vehicle (more on this later), their general appearance and construction are the same. All brake pads consist of a metal backing plate that attaches to the caliper and onto which the actual braking material is attached such that the exposed surface of the friction material rubs against the rotor surface when the brake pedal is pressed.

The primary purpose of the braking material is to generate sufficient friction when forced against the rotor surface to efficiently stop the vehicle’s motion. There are a variety of different materials used to fabricate brake pads, and they are marketed to a particular type of driver (e.g., a regular commuter, race car driver) or for a specific vehicle category (e.g., passenger car, SUV, commercial truck).

Here are the primary categories for brake pad materials:

Organic – through the 1980s and 1990s, most brake pads were manufactured using asbestos until the long-term carcinogenic effects of its use were substantiated. After that non-asbestos organic (NAO), referred to simply as organic, brake pads were developed and quickly gained popularity for their quiet, reliable performance.

Organic brake pads are manufactured with fibers of rubber, carbon compounds, fiberglass, glass, Kevlar, and other substances, which are blended together and bonded with strong resins, give them hardness and durability. These pads are typically the most affordable option and, for this reason, are found as standard factory equipment on over half of new cars today.

While they offer decent braking performance, organic brake pads are best suited for everyday driving versus high-stress or high-performance scenarios. Because they are softer than other types of pads, they will wear out at a faster rate and need to be replaced more frequently. In addition, they do not perform as well in extreme weather conditions.

Ceramic – as the name suggests, ceramic brake pads are made with ceramic material that is not too unlike that used to produce pottery and kitchenware, although the brake pad variant has strands of copper added to improve heat conductivity and braking performance. These are also the most difficult and costly to produce and are, therefore, the most expensive type of pad.

Ceramic brake pads are extremely quiet with no perceptible squealing or screeching during braking and produce very little dust as they rub against the rotor. They are relatively soft and are therefore rotor-friendly, generating minimal wear on disc surfaces. Because of their cost, they are more likely to be found on luxury vehicles and sports cars.

Although they are considered well suited for high performance applications, ceramic pads are not ideal for extreme cold weather as they take twice as long to warm up to normal performance conditions as metallic pads.

Metallic – also referred to as semi-metallic, these brake pads contain various metals such as steel, copper, iron, and other alloys, which are combined with graphite and other compounds to form a resilient and durable braking material. The percentage of actual metal in metallic brake pads will vary depending on the specific application and can range from 30% up to 70%.

As far as braking effectiveness, metallic brake pads have the greatest stopping power and superior heat dissipation, which results in fewer instances of brake fade in high stress situations. Race car drivers favor metallic pads for these reasons, and they are also factory installed equipment on certain luxury car brands, particularly those appealing to driving enthusiasts.

Because of their metallic content, these pads are also more abrasive to rotors and can result in faster wear of disc surfaces. Furthermore, they have a tendency to emit screeching or scraping sounds during hard braking and are noisier than their organic and ceramic counterparts.

How Often Should Brake Pads be Replaced?

Although the longevity of brake pads is dependent on several factors which we will be going over later in this article, original equipment, factory-installed brake pads can last anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 miles with an average of roughly 35,000 miles. If you drive your car on average 200 miles per week (approximately 28 miles per day), this equates to over three years’ worth of driving (and braking).

Factors that Affect Brake Pad Longevity

It is important to remember that the above figures are estimates only; the operating life of your brake pads will depend entirely on your driving habits, the type of daily driving that you do, the type of vehicle you drive, and the topography of where you live. Let’s examine these factors one by one:

Driving habits – a person’s driving style, how he or she accelerates and applies the brakes, can directly affect brake pad longevity. For instance, drivers who habitually speed or exceed the speed limit will be more likely to brake harder when taking turns, swerving in between cars, or coming to a hard stop.

The same can be said for drivers that frequently tailgate and find themselves slamming on the brakes to avoid rear-ending the car in front of them.

Type of daily driving – the basic rule of thumb when it comes to brake pad longevity is the more frequently you brake or, the longer that your brakes are applied, the faster that your brake pads will wear out. Thus, driving in stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic on a daily basis will result in faster brake pad wear than driving on nice, long straightaways with few stops along the way.

Type of vehicle – another basic brake pad rule of thumb is the larger and heavier the vehicle, the greater the stress that is placed on braking system components, and the faster that brake pads will wear out.

Although vehicles such as SUVs and large passenger sedans are equipped with beefed up brake components, in driving conditions such as bumper to bumper traffic or mountainous areas, brake pads will be pushed to their limits.

Topography – drivers that live in hilly or mountainous areas will find that their brake pads wear faster due to the frequent and prolonged braking that this type of topography requires. This is particularly true for drivers that tend to ride their brakes when driving downhill instead of utilizing engine braking or downshifting to control their speed.

There are certainly a few other factors influencing the longevity of your brake pads, such as your vehicle’s maintenance history. If you are very proactive about servicing your car regularly and having key systems like your brakes inspected periodically, then chances are you will catch potential problems at their early stages before they worsen into costly ones.

Another thing to consider with respect to brake pads is the quality of the part itself. When it comes to brake pads, the old adage “you get what you pay for” certainly rings true, particularly with respect to the friction material, which is the most vital component of a brake pad. If you come across a seemingly great deal online or at a discount auto parts store, scrutinize the material used in the pad’s manufacture and pay attention to the reviews.

How to Know When Your Brake Pads Need Service – Key Symptoms

When it comes to car maintenance, there are certain things that fall into the “time is of the essence” category, such as check engine lights, oil changes, and balding tires. Routinely inspecting your brake pads for wear level (braking material remaining on the backing plate), and replacing them when needed, certainly qualify as automotive service that needs to be performed on a timely basis.

Unfortunately, many people bring in their cars for brake service and learn that they have been driving with their brake pads completely worn down to the backing plates, resulting in irreparable damage to their rotors. In such an instance, not only would all the brake pads need to be replaced, but all the brake rotors (which are far costlier) as well.

Here are some common indications that your brake pads need to be inspected for wear or other conditions requiring attention:

Unusual squealing or screeching noise – many brake pad manufacturers insert wear indicators into the friction material on their brake pads to provide an audible warning that the pads are wearing thin and need to be replaced. These indicators are usually a thin piece of metal that becomes exposed when a few millimeters of pad material is remaining and scrape against the rotor producing a squealing or screeching noise.

These noises can also be produced when rust forms or residue from the friction material accumulates on the rotor surfaces. Sometimes they are only temporary and subside after repeating braking while other times they can indicate abnormal glazing or painting, which refers to the transfer of friction material from the pad to the disc surface.

Scraping or grinding noise – if you experience a scraping or grinding noise during braking, it could be an indication that your brake pads have completely worn down to the backing plate, particularly if it sounds like metal on metal contact. This situation warrants an immediate visit to your mechanic, and delaying action may result in irreversible damage to your rotors.

This noise may also be caused by misaligned pads or calipers, which also require prompt attention before other braking system components are damaged.

Reduced braking efficiency or spongy brake pedal – if you notice decreased braking efficiency (i.e., a longer distance is required to come to a complete stop), then your brake pads may be wearing thin. Having to press down on the brake pedal harder than normal (known as a spongy brake pedal) is another possible indication that your brake pads may soon need to be replaced.

Vibrations – when a brake pedal vibrates or shudders as it is being pressed down, it can be an indication of brake pads that are either wearing too thin or are misaligned. More often than not, however, this particular condition is more symptomatic of a problem with the brake rotors either being warped, cracked, or abnormally glazed.

Vehicle pulls to one side – your car pulling to one side when the brakes are applied could be caused by uneven wear of brake pads on one or more wheels, or it could be symptomatic of a more serious issue with brake rotors or calipers. In any event, this is certainly one situation that should be addressed immediately.

Indicator or warning light – certain vehicles are equipped with special sensors in the braking system that can detect when brake pad efficiency falls below a certain threshold and cause an indicator or warning light to appear on the dash.

If there is a common thread among all of these symptoms of potential brake pad issues, it is the importance of having any abnormal braking condition checked out by a qualified professional promptly before the situation evolves into a major problem.

Deciding Which Brake Pads are Best for You

When choosing your next set of brake pads, your choice will likely be influenced by a variety of factors that must all be considered in order to make a truly informed decision. The importance of each individual factor will naturally differ from person to person, depending on their circumstances. While some factors may weigh heavily to some, they may be completely irrelevant or inconsequential to others.

Here are some important factors to consider when deciding which brake pads to select for your vehicle:

Braking effectiveness and stopping power – brake pads imrpove both the performance and the safety of a vehicle. It should come as no surprise that all drivers are keen on ensuring that their vehicle will stop reliably when needed most.

When it comes to sheer stopping ability, metallic brake pads have the edge over ceramic pads where braking performance is of the utmost concern.

ORGANIC	GOOD
CERAMIC	BETTER
METALLIC	BEST

Weather conditions – when deciding which brake pads to purchase, it is important to consider your local weather and climate. For example, certain areas experience bitterly cold, snowy winters, while others endure through triple-digit heat in the summers. Then there are places where the weather is fairly temperate and mild year-round.

Organic and ceramic brake pads have temperature limitations where their performance declines slightly in extreme temperatures. This is especially true in very cold weather when these pads need to “warm up” to ideal working conditions. In contrast, metallic brake pads are viable in virtually all climates and are not impacted by extreme temperatures.

ORGANIC	GOOD
CERAMIC	GOOD
METALLIC	BEST

Traffic and driving conditions – another important consideration when choosing your next set of brake pads is the type of driving you will be doing on a daily basis. For instance, if your daily commute entails sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on gridlocked streets and highways then you would not be getting much value out of the more expensive metallic or ceramic brake pads.

On the other hand, if the vehicle in question is a luxury or sports car that is put through its paces on weekend jaunts to the local mountains, then perhaps the all-around performance of ceramic pads is justified. Metallic pads are a prudent choice if you find yourself regularly driving on hilly terrain where there are long stretches of downhill to navigate.

ORGANIC	BEST – EVERYDAY
CERAMIC	BEST – ALL AROUND
METALLIC	BEST – HILLY TERRAIN

Type of vehicle – often the type of vehicle you drive will dictate which brake pad is your best option, especially if you want to keep the same type of pads it came with from the dealer. If you have a luxury or sports car in your garage, chances are it came with factory-installed ceramic or high-end metallic brake pads.

On the other hand, that practical economy car that you drive to and from work every day very likely has organic pads. Large SUVs and heavy-duty pickup trucks will probably have metallic brake pads installed on them. There are certainly exceptions, and ultimately, the choice as to what type of brake pads to install on your car is entirely up to you.

Cost – Other than performance, the main consideration when choosing brake pads will be the cost. Although different manufacturers produce their brake pads with their own proprietary formulation, blend of materials or production method, organic, metallic, and ceramic pads do align into three distinct price categories.

Because of their unique makeup and the high cost of production, ceramic pads are by far the most expensive brake pads on the market. Next up in terms of cost are metallic pads, and occupying the lower end of the pricing spectrum are organic pads. It should be noted that certain manufacturers command premium prices for all three pad categories because of reputation or perceived quality.

ORGANIC	LEAST COSTLY
METALLIC	MODERATELY COSTLY
CERAMIC	MOST COSTLY

Durability – going hand in hand with brake pad cost is the durability, or expected length of service. Saving a few dollars on brake pads does not mean much if they need to be replaced sooner, and spending a few dollars more for increased longevity may be a worthwhile investment.

Generally speaking, metallic pads have the greatest longevity because of their metal content and resulting hardness. On the opposite end of the service, life spectrum are organic pads, which because of their softer composition, tend to wear out the fastest. In between these two are ceramic pads, which typically last longer than organic but wear out faster than metallic.

ORGANIC	SHORTEST LIFE
CERAMIC	MEDIUM LIFE
METALLIC	LONGEST LIFE

Noise – For some drivers, there are other considerations that weigh heavily in their decision making. One such factor is braking noise, which can range from imperceptible (ceramic pads) to relatively quiet (organic pads) to downright noisy (metallic pads). Whatever your noise tolerance level may be, this certainly is something to consider.

CERAMIC	QUIETEST
ORGANIC	QUIET
METALLIC	NOISIEST

Dust – disc brakes create friction through the rubbing action of the brake pad material against the rotor surface, and as this occurs, minute amounts of the pad get worn off. Each time the brakes are applied, a tiny amount of brake pad dust is created. This dust can settle on the braking system components or accumulate on the wheels.

Because of their softer composition, organic pads create the most dust. Certain metallic pads consist of friction material that can also generate substantial brake dust. On the other hand, ceramic pads generate the least amount of dust, and for this and other reasons, they are often found on luxury sports cars of the Italian and German persuasion with their mirror-finish, high-gloss wheels.

CERAMIC	LEAST DUST
METALLIC	MODERATE DUST
ORGANIC	MOST DUST

Do Brake Pads Come in Different Sizes?

Brake pads do not come in a single, universal size that fits all cars. Just as vehicles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so too do brake pads. As a general rule, the larger the vehicle and its wheels, the larger and thicker the pads that are needed to stop its motion properly. Thus the brake pads for a small economy car would be far too small for a large SUV and vice versa.

Fortunately, finding the exact brake pad size for your vehicle is as simple as going to an auto parts website and entering the make, model, model year, and in some cases, the trim level. You will most likely see all three brake pad options (organic, metallic, and ceramic) for your vehicle in the exact size you need.

Some Important Considerations Regarding Proper Brake Pad Size

There are some things to keep in mind when choosing your next set of brake pads. One thing to remember is the fact that due to the engine, most of the weight of a typical vehicle is toward the front, and therefore the front brakes endure much more stress than the rear. For this reason, many vehicles, including the ever popular mid-size SUV, have ventilated rotors in the front and solid rotors in the rear.

As a result, brake pads for the front brakes may differ from those for the rear brakes since they have a much more difficult job to perform. Many brake pad databases will differentiate between front and rear brake pads for specific vehicles, and some vendors that offer complete kits for all four wheels will include two of one size for the front brakes and two of another size for the rear brakes.

Yet another thing to consider, particularly with regard to older vehicles or current model economy cars, is that some vehicles have disc brakes on the front wheels where greater braking performance is needed, and drum brakes on the rear wheels. Thus brake pads would be needed for the front and brake shoes for the rear.

What You Need to Know About Brake Pad Thickness

Although specific measurements will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and will certainly depend on the particular brake pad material, the average thickness of a brand new, original equipment brake pad will be around 10 to 12 millimeters (roughly half an inch).

Most wear indicators are imbedded about 3 millimeters (around one-quarter of an inch) above the metal backing plate, which means that a brand new brake pad has roughly seven to nine millimeters (little more than one-quarter of an inch) of usable friction material.

Choosing the right brake pads for your car may seem like a daunting task at first, particularly if you are not mechanically inclined. Armed with even a basic understanding of how brake pads work, what they are made from, and what to look for as far as performance, cost, and other considerations, you really can make an informed decision. And when it comes to the safety of yourself and your passengers, perhaps there is no more important one.

How to Know Which Brakes Pads to Buy: Complete Buyer’s Guide