Everything you need to know about brake pads
Brake pads are part of a vehicle's braking system and are therefore essential to controlling the vehicle's movement. The brake pads being in order is crucial for the safety of the driver, passengers and any other people who are driving nearby, since, as they are fundamental parts of the vehicle's brake system, their poor condition can cause accidents bass. Thinking about how important it is for the driver to know about the brake pads of his vehicle, we made this publication to help you know everything about this part. So be sure to keep reading! Visit this link to gain more ideas: ceramic or semi metallic brake pads
Main types of brake pad
In the brake pad market we can find many different types and models, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Basically, the main differences between them are found in the sizes, the material that composes them and the heat dissipation. All these factors directly influence the performance of the vehicle's braking system. Among the different types of brake pads we find: organic, metallic, semi-metallic and ceramic.
Organic tablets:
They are the simplest type of insert and also the lowest cost on the market, being indicated for light vehicles. They have lower durability and resistance than other types, which, depending on use, may need to be changed more frequently.
Metal inserts:
are intermediate inserts. They are made of more rigid materials such as brass, iron or aluminum. In this way, they have more durability and resistance, providing the driver with better performance and confidence in his brake system.
Semi-metallic inserts:
they are similar to the metallic ones, however, with the purpose of bringing a similar performance at a lower cost. They are manufactured with alloys of different materials, which generate good heat dissipation, making them suffer little wear and be resistant.
Ceramic inserts:
are the most efficient on the market, being used mainly in sports vehicles. They are all made with performance in mind, and also for this reason they are highly silent and resistant inserts, and consequently, the ones with the highest cost.
How do I know if brake pads need to be changed?
In general, it is very important to know how to interpret the signals that your vehicle presents, especially in the brake system. Carelessness with this can lead to high maintenance costs, in addition to traffic accidents. It is important to say that, when you notice a sign of wear on the brake pads, do not try to diagnose and change them without consulting a specialist. Among the signs of wear, we can mainly mention: sharp noises in the brake system, loss of braking efficiency and excess dust on the wheels.
About the noises, it can not always mean wear, it can be the sound of the new pads adjusting to your vehicle's brake system. To avoid problems, observe when the noises started and check if the other signals are also present. The loss of braking efficiency is easily noticeable, and it's a problem that gets worse and worse.
What to do if you notice signs of wear on the brake pads?
When you notice any of these signs, be sure to check the status of the inserts, no matter how much they have been used. Check the thickness of the abrasive material, if it is below 2mm it means it can no longer be used. To carry out the measurement, a ruler or caliper can be used. Depending on the manufacturer and vehicle model, they may have a marking that indicates wear on the pad. In more modern and technological cars, a light on the dashboard indicates that the pads need to be changed.
Bet on preventive maintenance
Performing preventive maintenance periodically is a great way to avoid the emergence of serious problems, since preventive maintenance is intended to prevent problems from happening, either through the prior identification of possible problems, or even through adjustments to prolong the good performance of vehicle components.