Learn About
Brakes

Brake pads are part of your brakes that contact the rotors to stop your car. They are made of a metal backing plate with a friction material attached to the surface that faces the rotor. The friction material can be made from different compounds, depending on the manufacturer.

There are three main types of brake pads semi-metallic, ceramic, and organic.

• Semi-metallic brake pads are the most common type of brake pad on the market. They are made with a steel backing plate and a high percentage of metal in the friction material. The metal content can range from 30-65%. The higher the percentage of metal, the longer the pad will last, but the harsher the brake feel will be. Semi-metallic pads are best suited for heavy braking and towing applications. They can handle higher temperatures than ceramic or organic pads and are less likely to fade under hard use. However, they are also more likely to squeal and create dust.
• Ceramic Brake Pads Ceramic brake pads are made with a steel backing plate and a ceramic friction material. The ceramic content is usually around 90%. Ceramic pads offer good braking performance, are quieter than semi-metallic pads, and create less dust. However, they wear down faster than semi-metallic pads and are not as heat resistant.
• Organic Brake Pads Organic brake pads are made with a steel backing plate and an organic friction material. The organic content can range from 30-70%. Organic pads offer good braking performance and are the quietest type of pad. They create very little dust, but wear down quickly and are not as heat resistant as other types of pads.

Brake pads typically last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, but this varies depending on driving habits and conditions. As your brake pads wear down, they begin to thin. When they get too thin, they can no longer effectively stop your car. At this point, you’ll need to replace them.

Let’s face it no one likes dropping a bunch of cash on brake repairs. A lot of customers often ask if we can just replace the brake pads.

Sometimes it is possible to just replace the front or rear brake pads without replacing the rotors. This depends on what kind of shape the rotors are in and if they are rusted, grooved, warped, scored, etc… It’s always best to have our ASE-certified brake technician inspect your rotors.

Brake rotors are circular brake disc that sits behind your wheel. It is made of hardened steel and machined smooth. Your brake pads squeeze against your brake rotor to create the friction needed to stop your vehicle.

While brake rotors may very in metal material there are several main types of rotors they include –

• Solid rotors – typically used on the rear wheels of vehicles
• Vented rotors – these are used on both the front and rear
• Drilled rotors – these are typically a performance rotor
• Slotted rotors – these are typically a performance rotor

Brake rotors can typically last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, but this varies depending on driving habits and conditions. As your brake pads wear down, they begin to thin. The heat along with road conditions such as salt, dirt, dust, and other road debris can take a toll on brake rotors.

Sometimes it is possible to just replace the front or rear brake rotors without replacing the pads. This depends on what kind of shape the brake pads are in if they are grooved, stepped, or worn unevenly. It’s always best to have our ASE-certified brake technician inspect your brake pads.