Advantages of Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are the newest innovation in automotive braking technology. Ceramic pads out perform traditional brake pads in every way. They are lighter, cleaner, quieter and more efficient than traditional pads. Ceramic pads do cost a little bit more han their metallic and semi-metallic counterparts, but they more than make up for ceramic halloween decoration the cost difference in performance.
People that like to keep a clean car with clean chrome wheel will be very satisfied with ceramic pads. They produce very little brake dust and what is produced can generally be wiped away by hand, maintaining a very clean appearance. Generally abrasive de-greasers and cleaners are not necessary to remove the dirt. The weight savings afforded by ceramic, though minimal, are another advantage. This would be important mostly in racing applications where every pound counts, but it cannot be denied as an advantage for even the most modest daily driver. Every pound helps improve gas mileage. The compound used to produce ceramic pads makes them extremely quiet. Metallic and semi-metallic brake pads commonly installed in vehicles from the factory are usually associated with a very irritating squeaking noise. This can be attributed to the metal in the brake pads grinding against the metal of the rotors. Ceramic brakes solve this irritation by eliminating the abrasive metals that cause these aggravating sounds. Ceramic brake pads do not eliminate noise altogether, but they produce it in a frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear.
Ceramic brake pads are made of a compound of several materials that significantly increase the useful life of the pads. Increases of up to 30% are not unusual. This increase in life alone is a good reason to spend the extra money for ceramic pads. Heat production is one of the major factors that influences how brake pads perform. Ceramic pads are designed to dissipate heat much faster than conventional metallic pads which helps decrease brake fade from repeated braking action. The decrease in heat also decreases the likely hood that you will warp a rotor, which is a costly repair. The elimination of abrasive metal in ceramic pads also can be attributed to longer rotor life. As ceramic pads wear, they do not have metal strips that will gouge pits into a rotor like traditional pads. Large commercial vehicles in particular see a great benefit from the heat reduction afforded by ceramic brakes. The large brakes on large truck generate much more heat that a traditional vehicle, making effective brake cooling a necessity. Ceramic pads are just one more way to protect against brake failure from overheating, making driving that much safer for everyone. This is a benefit that every vehicle owner should take into consideration when buying new pads. It may not seem like a big deal but every thing you can do to increase the safety of your vehicle should be considered especially if you are carrying your family with you.