Did you know that when it comes to brake pads, one size does not fit all? You may be particularly interested in this concept if you tend to be a "sportier" driver, as you may be able to get an upgrade when you next service your vehicle. What types of brake pad could you consider to help you enjoy your weekend forays into the wilderness?
Asbestos
Back in the old days when life was more innocent, car manufacturers used to make brake pads out of asbestos. Of course, this gradually fell out of favour due to the obvious health consequences, and this led to the proliferation of non-asbestos, organic pads instead.
NAO
These components were made from a variety of different materials, including fibre, rubber, carbon, glass or Kevlar, all mixed together with binding resins for structure. The pads are relatively soft, create good friction and produce lower dust levels than the alternatives and in general, and they are perfect for the everyday driver (or somebody apart from you)!
Semi-metallic
As the non-asbestos organic pads were not really suitable for performance driving, other products quickly came to the marketplace. For example, semi-metallic pads have copper, iron or steel embedded within, together with friction modifiers and a special, graphite lubricant. They are quite long-lasting and can produce a dramatic improvement in brake performance, while being a relatively good "all-round" solution as well. However, you will find that they produce more brake dust, which will unfortunately find its way onto your shiny alloy wheels and are somewhat noisier, as well.
Ceramic
Some people choose to fit ceramic pads to their vehicle, and these may be an all-round compromise. They tend to be easier on the brake disc than the semi-metallic option and don't produce as much of that sticky brake dust. However, while they will work well at high temperatures, they may have a tendency to overheat and might not be the perfect choice in a full racing environment.
Best Choice?
In your situation, you should probably stick to semi-metallic pads. They will perform equally as well on your weekend adventure as they will when you're driving to work on a Monday. Nevertheless, always keep a close eye on the condition of your brakes (as well as the wheels and tyres) if you like to do more than your fair share of performance driving.
Getting Your Upgrade
Ask your technician to fit this alternative instead, when you next take the vehicle in for brake repair or another service.
