All About Brake Pads

When it comes to maintaining automobiles, there are important parts, and there are crucial parts. Brake pads are among the most crucial of the crucial components that are considered normal wear items, since they create the friction that helps stop your car when they are pressed against the brake disc (also called the brake rotor) or, on some cars, the brake drum that rotates with the wheel. It is in every driver's interests—not to mention the interests of their passengers and fellow motorists—that their brake pads always function properly and that they are replaced before they lose effectiveness. But when should you replace the pads?

Brake Pads Wear Out

Whether the brake pads on your vehicle are made of metallic, organic, ceramic, or composite materials, they lose a minute amount of material each time they are used. Eventually, they wear thin, which means they can't generate the heat caused by friction as effectively, decreasing their ability to stop the vehicle quickly and potentially increasing the distances required to do so. Ultimately, they wear out completely, which can cause a host of issues.

If you are noticing that your brakes aren't as responsive as they once were or that they fade quickly or that the pedal feels different after you've been driving in traffic for a while or down a long mountain pass, it could be time for new brake pads. But sometimes in normal driving, brakes will feel fine until something else tells you they need replacement.

Brake-Wear Warning Signs

Some cars have brake-pad sensors that inform the driver of worn brake pads via a light in the dashboard or a message shown upon startup. Some brake systems call attention to themselves by squealing or screeching when they get too thin; while unpleasant, this is usually harmless. It's caused by a metal scraper attached to the pads that serves as a warning alarm. If the noise is less of a screech and more of a grumbling, grinding sound, the pads at one or all of the wheels may be gone altogether, and further use of the brakes can cause serious damage to the rotors. This is not a sound you want to hear, and if you do you must take your vehicle to a brake shop immediately. Better still, you want to replace the pads before you ever hear such warnings.

To ensure that your car is always able to consistently execute the swiftest, safest stops possible, we strongly recommend changing the brake pads before they exhibit the irregularities mentioned above—or worse. Your vehicle's owner's manual likely recommends inspecting the pads at every oil change because brake-pad life can vary greatly, depending on your driving style and whether the car is driven regularly in hilly areas or in dense traffic. Brake pads should be replaced when they reach their service limit, which is usually about 0.1 inch. As for cost, that too varies widely, depending on a number of factors, so we recommend researching the cost of brake pad replacement well in advance of when the need arises. That way, it can be budgeted into the rest of your normal automobile-related expenses.

What we don't recommend is waiting to replace the brake pads for weeks or months after the first warning signs emerge, or considering properly functioning brakes anything less than a top priority. From a safety standpoint, they are more important than the engine. After all, a poorly maintained engine could result in engine failure. But if your poorly maintained brakes take longer to stop than they should or, worse, fail, the result could be life-threatening.

Pay attention to the condition of your brakes now and you'll avoid big repair bills—or an accident—later. If you're feeling ambitious and want to replace your vehicle's brake pads yourself, you'll also need to bleed the brake system afterward.

Carbon Performance Brake Pads

The DBC High Performance Carbon brake pad and hardware kit is recommended for high performance, high horsepower muscle and modified cars. The Carbon-Fiber Ceramic pads provide shorter stops under the most demanding conditions. The DBC High Performance Carbon brake pads are the only bolt-on upgrade that delivers more than just the braking power you need to rein in all those ponies. With Power Stop's low dust and noise formula, you'll spend less time cleaning those wheels and more time enjoying what matters most – the drive.

• Carbon-Fiber Ceramic formula provides the extreme duty stopping power muscle cars & high performance vehicles demand
• High temperature threshold to resist fade during extreme driving
• Premium Stainless Steel Shims provide better heat dissipation & virtually noise-free braking
• Powder coated backing plate extends pad life by resisting rust and corrosion
• Includes ceramic brake lubricant and stainless steel hardware where applicable

Kevlar Towing and Hauling Brake Pads

DBC Premium Ceramic; Low Noise / Low Dust Alternative to OE; Includes Hardware Kit

Designed specifically for European applications, DBC Premium Ceramic Brake Pads are formulated to provide optimal and reliable stopping performance, excellent fade resistance, low dust, and stable friction performance across a wide temperature range.   Features & Benefits: Advanced Ceramic formulation for European applications Excellent fade resistance and extremely low dust characteristics Stable friction performance across a wide temperature range Low Copper Ceramic formulation Positive mold to ensure consistent material density Post-cured to eliminate friction material impurities Scorched to minimize initial break-in time Chamfered to reduce noise when braking Slotted to dissipate heat and prevent brake fade Rubber-Steel-Rubber shim reduces noise, vibration and harshness

 

 

OE Formulated Friction Material

Engineered in Germany, OE Formula is a development partner to many of the world's most famous vehicle manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even Porsche. So if you drive one of these cars it means there's a good chance it was fitted with Pagid brakes. Whilst brake friction brake pads have to meet safety standards, these regulations allow manufacturers a wide tolerance. Pagid brake pads are developed to meet the highest quality standards and, in stark contrast to many other brands, they are subjected to thousands of miles of rigorous on-vehicle testing before being approved for release.

 

 

Semi-Metallic

DBC Semi-Metallic Brake Pads are 100% post cured to ensure stable friction performance. Each pad is then scorched to remove uncured bonding agents to minimize the need for initial break-in period and increase stopping power from the initial stop.   Features & Benefits: Long pad wear Stable friction performance across a wide temperature range Certified copper-free eco-friendly formulation Positive mold to ensure consistent material density Post-cured to eliminate friction material impurities Scorched to minimize initial break-in time Chamfered to reduce noise when braking Slotted to dissipate heat and prevent brake fade Rubber-Steel-Rubber shim reduces noise, vibration and harshness

 

 

Organic vs. Ceramic vs. Semi-Metallic - What Is The Difference?

A common question many drivers have when shopping for brake pads is “What is the difference between the different brake pad materials?” While all brake pads will stop your vehicle, there are pros and cons of each pad material:

 

Brake Pad Material	Cost	Dust Level	Noise Level	Stopping Power	Pad Life
Organic	$
Semi-Metallic	$$
Ceramic	$$$