The importance of the brakes in your vehicle cannot be overemphasised. Different motorists will have different needs for their braking system, depending on their specific vehicle as well as driving style.

Not all brake pads are the same. Some are specifically designed for light everyday driving, while others are more suited for high performance applications. It is important for you to understand your options so you can make better decisions for your vehicle.

What are your braking needs?

Even before you dive into exploring the various types of brake pads that are available, you first need to understand what your braking needs are. Start by considering the type of terrain that you typically drive through.

Do you navigate off roads or mountainous regions? Do you often drive on slippery roads (due to rain or snow)? Are you always stuck in traffic before and after work? All these questions will enable you to determine the type of performance that you need to have from your brake pads.

Start with selecting the right material

Once you understand what your braking requirements are, you can begin to explore various materials that are used to design vehicle brakes. The most commonly used brake pad materials include:

• Organic pads

Organic brake pads are typically made of carbon. They are useful for daily driving and providing excellent longevity to other parts of the braking system. Their high carbon content gives them a convenient quiet operation and adequate protection to the brake rotors.

However, they tend to be limited in high performance along slippery roads and other rough terrain.

• Ceramic

Ceramic pads are coated with a ceramic fibre. This material provides the surface against which friction occurs between the pads and the rotor. Ceramic pads are built for high performance under multiple weather conditions.

If you're looking to race, drive along rough roads or navigate mountain regions, ceramic pads are a top choice to consider.

• Full metal

Metallic pads are great for all-terrain driving. If you frequent off road locations, you will benefit from the better control and navigation when you equip metallic pads. However, be prepared to replace them more frequently than other types of pads.

• Semi-metallic

If you regularly drive a vehicle with high horsepower or tow heavy loads, you should consider semi-metallic pads. These pads use both steel fibres and a highly durable resin to design the padding material. This gives the pads a high level of grip to ensure that heavy vehicles and their loads are safe to manoeuvre.

Reach out to a local car service for more guidance.