How to Distinguish Ceramic Brake Pads from Ordinary Brake Pads?
2 Answers
Ceramic brake pads and ordinary brake pads differ as follows: 1. Ceramic brake pads contain no metal, making them more durable, with better heat dissipation, shorter braking distances, and the ability to withstand continuous high-temperature, high-intensity braking compared to ordinary brake pads. 2. Ordinary brake pads are suitable for most vehicles, while ceramic brake pads are designed for mid-to-high-end models. 3. Ordinary brake pads have less mature friction materials, lower heat resistance, are prone to rust, have harder materials that are more likely to break, and are more likely to produce noise. Advantages of ceramic brake pads: 1. Longer service life, exceeding 100,000 kilometers; 2. Wear-resistant and heat-resistant, with good thermal stability; 3. Ceramic materials dissipate heat quickly and have a higher friction coefficient; 4. They possess excellent mechanical strength and physical properties, capable of withstanding greater pressure and shear force.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have replaced brake pads several times. To distinguish between ceramic and regular brake pads, just look at the color: ceramic pads are typically gray or dark brown, with a uniform and smooth surface, unlike regular pads which are blackish or have metal particles. There's also a difference in texture—ceramic pads feel denser and harder, while regular pads are rougher. In practical use, ceramic brake pads produce much less dust, leaving the wheels clean for weeks, whereas regular pads generate a lot of dust after braking. In terms of noise, ceramic pads are very quiet when braking, with almost no squeaking, while regular pads tend to make noise during sudden stops or in rainy conditions. My advice is to directly ask about the brand and type when at the shop, or check the labels on the manual to differentiate. Ceramic pads are slightly more expensive but last longer, wear slower, and protect the brake discs better, offering higher cost-effectiveness in the long run. The price difference is around 100 yuan—don’t skimp and buy knockoffs, as they pose significant safety risks.
