When Should You Consider Ceramic Brakes For Your Car?

If you're hearing a squealing from your brakes or you just noticed a brake warning light appear on your dash, there's a good chance you'll need new pads shortly. Even if you don't handle car maintenance yourself, you can still get involved in your brake replacement. Spending time researching and choosing your new pads will allow you to pick an option that fits your budget and needs better.

Of course, brake terminology can be confusing for the uninitiated, and you'll probably notice several different types of brake pads available for your car. While organic pads are some of the most common (and affordable) on the market, ceramic pads are a more upmarket option. If you're unsure if the extra money is worthwhile, check out these three reasons to consider an upgrade.

1. Your Wheels Are Too Dusty

One of the primary benefits of ceramic pads is surprisingly superficial. Unlike organic and semi-metallic pads, ceramic pads tend to generate a relatively small amount of brake dust. If you're unfamiliar with the term, brake dust is the brown that will typically appear on your wheels. This dust is perfectly normal, and it results from the friction material on your pads wearing away.

Of course, brake dust is also annoying and sometimes challenging to clean. Ceramic pads might be a worthwhile upgrade if your current brake pads produce too much dust or you find it hard to keep your wheels clean. Although ceramic pads will still produce dust, it's typically finer, lighter in color (and so less noticeable), and easier to clean.

2. You Don't Do Intense Driving

Modern braking systems are well-designed enough that typical driving conditions won't stress your brakes. Even if you're a somewhat aggressive driver, normal braking behavior is unlikely to overheat or strain any quality pad. On the other hand, certain activities can be more intense on your brakes, such as towing heavy loads, traveling across steep grades, or spending a day at the track.

These more intense conditions may require a brake pad with stronger heat rejection properties, such as a semi-metallic pad. However, if you don't typically stress your brakes in these ways, you likely won't see any benefit from semi-metallic pads. Instead, ceramic pads will offer superior life and less dust generation with no performance loss.

3. Your Brakes Are Too Loud

In addition to producing less dust, ceramic brake pads tend to be much quieter than semi-metallic or organic pads. If you're unhappy with the sound of your brakes, upgrading to ceramic pads may help. Of course, ensure you're paying attention to the sound of your brakes and not simply the squealing from the wear strips as your old pads wear out!

It's also important to understand that ceramic pads work best with other high-quality components. If you want to ensure your new pads are worth the cost, you'll want to choose high-quality rotors to pair with them. Upgrading your entire braking system to these higher-end components will ensure that your new ceramic pads offer quiet and smooth performance.

To learn more about new car brakes, reach out to an auto mechanic near you.