The Right Time to Change Your Brake Pads
Getting the right brake pads for your vehicle is a necessary step in vehicle maintenance. You will have either realized your brake pads are not working from the shrill sound or the uncomfortable driving. Whichever the case, it’s important to know how crucial your brake pads are and the right process to follow to diagnose their condition, and how to select the best ones for your car. If it’s your first, time, you will need some professional assistance just to ensure everything works well.
Factors to Consider When Buying New Brake Pads
Before buying new brake pads you need to know whether they are the best option for your vehicle. For starters, the weight of your vehicle affects the brake pads that you will eventually get. Heavy vehicles require wider brake pads as this helps to increase the kinetic energy necessary to stop the car. Smaller vehicles produce less kinetic energy and heat and therefore can do with smaller, conventional brake pads.
The other major consideration is where your car will mostly drive on. If the terrain is rough then there will be greater pressure on the brake pad and this will lead to faster wear and tear. Smoother surfaces are generally gentler on your brake pads and there is no need for custom pads or rotors.
Does The Weather Affect Choice Of Brake Pads?
Different weather conditions affect the performance of your brake pads. Snowy conditions make the brake pads and rotors difficult to operate and this is why some drivers replace their brake pads and motors during winter and install pads that are either bigger or made from better material. Dry conditions on the other hand leave a lot of dust which can affect the friction surface on the brake pads. The friction surface has to be clean and free from debris if they are to work optimally.
Which Is The Best Brake Pad Material
Brake pads come in different varieties based on the materials they are made from. The most common brake pads are made from steel which is cheaper and sturdier. Other types are semi metallic pads consisting of between 35 to 65% metal. These work well in different weather conditions but break down easily as compared to pure steel ones. Ceramic brake pads are the most expensive and are mostly used in luxury vehicles. They have the best brake performance but are brittle and don’t last long. Lastly, organic or non asbestos brake pads offer the best friction surface and don’t make any noise even with the hardest braking. However, they are not easy to find and are mostly used by expert drivers.
How to Ensure Proper Maintenance of Your Brake Pads
Like any other part of your vehicle the brake pads need consistent maintenance if they are to serve you longer. You need to check them once every month for signs of war and tear. You also need to test whether the braking system is working fine by testing it on short distances such as your car park or garage.
