Brake pads are one of the most important parts of an auto brake system. Without the correct type of brake pads for your car, you may not be able to stop within the proper distance to prevent an auto accident from occurring. Brake pads vary according to the material they are made of. These are the different types of brake pads and the types of automobiles they are designed for.

Metallic Brake Pads 

Metallic brake pads are made of a combination of different types of metal. Some of these types of brake pads are semi-metallic and they are made of a combination of metal and other natural materials. The types of metal commonly used for metallic and semi-metallic brake pads include steel wool, metal wire and copper that is compressed tightly together.

Metallic and semi-metallic brake pads are very durable and are one of the most common types of brake pads found on vehicles today. These brake pads work well for small compact cars, mid-size cars and sports cars.

Organic Brake Pads 

Organic brake pads are made of various materials such as glass, fiber and rubber. Organic brake pads produce very little noise but do tend to create a substantial amount of dust when applying the brakes. These brake pads tend to wear away more quickly, so they are most suitable for small cars that are not driven aggressively.

Ceramic Brake Pads 

Ceramic brake pads are made of ceramic fibers combined with other filler materials. These brake pads are strong and durable and work well with vehicles that are heavy, make frequent stops, are driven at high speeds and that make sharp turns on a regular basis.

Ceramic brake pads are most commonly used on large trucks, SUVs or vans. These brake pads are also suitable for race cars as well. Ceramic brake pads are also the noisiest type of brake pads made for automobiles. However, it is worth the sacrifice of having noisy brakes to ensure more safety for the driver.

A key thing to remember when choosing the best brake pads for your vehicle is that the heavier or more aggressively your vehicle is driven, the stronger your brake pads need to be. Otherwise, you may find yourself replacing your brake pads much more frequently than you would normally have to if you purchased the stronger brake pads instead. You may pay more for the heavy duty brake pads, but in the long run it could save you money because they do not need to be replaced as often.

Talk to a company like Brake & Equipment Warehouse for more information.