Tips for Choosing the Best Car Brake Pads
Brake pads are one of the vital components in a car. The safety system of the driver through braking heavily depends on the condition of the brake pads.
The shape and size of brake pads are indeed small, but their function cannot be underestimated. Brake pads play a role in regulating the speed of the vehicle through the braking system. Without brake pads, the speed of the car would be difficult to control and it may not be able to stop at all.
Car brake pads are most relied upon when the driver makes sudden braking. With brake pads that are still in good condition, accidents can be avoided.
Another equally important function of brake pads is that they can make the car run smoothly on inclines and declines. If the brake pads are in good condition, the driver will not encounter difficulties while driving the car.
When is the right time to replace brake pads?
The more often a car is used, the function of the brakes, including the pads, decreases. Therefore, car owners must be sensitive and routinely check to avoid unwanted issues.
Brake pads must be replaced if while driving, you experience the following issues:
1. A sound appears when braking
Worn brake pads are marked by the sound of friction like metal and zinc when braking. This sound comes from the metal body of the pads rubbing against the disc.
2. The pedal feels deep
This sign is very easy for car drivers to feel. A brake pedal that is too deep can indicate that the drum brake pads on the rear wheels are starting to wear out.
A deep pedal occurs because the drum brake has a return spring that pushes the piston back to its original position. If the brake pads are thinning, the piston must move further for the drum to be pressed. This movement makes the pedal feel deep.
3. Brake vibrations are felt up to the steering wheel
The vibrations that occur when the brake pedal is pressed are a sign that the brake pads are starting to thin. If the condition is severe, the vibrations can even travel to the steering wheel. If this happens, replace the brake pads with new ones immediately.
4. The brakes become less effective
Worn brake pads make the brakes less effective. This happens because of uneven pressure of the pads on the disc and the brake surface area becomes smaller. As a result, the braking power becomes suboptimal.
Best brake pad materials
When choosing the best brake pads, many people still think that temperature is the level of effectiveness of the brake pads. This means that the hotter they are, the better. However, this is not the case; the quality of brake pads can be seen from their friction and adjusted to the needs of each driver.
In the market, there are at least four types of car brake pads differentiated by their materials.
1. Organic brake pads (non-metallic)
This type of brake pad is made from a combination of rubber, carbon, glass, resin, and many others. These brake pads are the softest compared to others, so they wear out faster, but they do not damage the brake disc.
2. Semi-metallic
This type of brake pad can be considered the most durable. It has good heat transfer, but the rotor wear rate is slightly faster compared to others.
3. Organic non-asbestos
This type of brake pad has a low metal content, better heat transfer, and makes some noise due to its metal content.
4. Ceramic brake pads
Ceramic brake pads are more expensive than others. These brake pads provide adequate braking characteristics without damaging the rotor.
Author: Dinno Baskoro
