English
Among the many components of a car, brake pads may be underestimated, but they are a crucial safety guardian. It does not determine speed and passion like an engine, nor does it concern comfort and dignity like an interior, but it directly determines the safety of your and your passengers' lives every time you step on the brake pedal. Choosing a suitable brake pad is not a simple replacement of parts, but a solemn commitment to safety responsibility.
1、 Why is the choice of brake pads so crucial?
The braking system is the rear and core line of defense for active safety in automobiles. And the brake pads are the soldiers who engage in close combat with danger on this defensive line. Its importance is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Directly related to driving safety: braking performance is the core
Braking distance: High quality brake pads can provide strong and stable friction in emergency situations, significantly reducing braking distance. In emergency braking at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour, even shortening the distance by one or two meters may prevent a serious traffic accident.
Braking stability: Poor quality brake pads may experience significant fluctuations in braking force under different temperatures and road conditions due to uneven material or poor high-temperature resistance, leading to brake "softness" or sudden "nodding", causing drivers to lose confidence in controlling the vehicle.
2. Affects the health and lifespan of other components of the vehicle
Protecting brake discs: Brake pads and brake discs are a pair of "close comrades". Poor quality brake pads with excessively high hardness or containing metal impurities can wear and even scratch expensive brake discs like sandpaper, causing grooves and deformation that require replacement, doubling the repair cost.
Reduce body vibration: High quality brake pads can smoothly fit the brake disc, effectively avoiding steering wheel and body vibration caused by brake shaking, and improving driving quality and comfort.
3. Regarding driving experience and comfort
Noise control: The piercing "squeaking" sound is usually a byproduct of poor quality brake pads or improper installation. High quality brake pads are carefully designed to effectively suppress vibration and noise, providing you with a peaceful and comfortable driving environment.
Footfeel feedback: Good brake pads can provide a linear and solid braking feel. The expected braking force can be obtained by stepping on it as much as possible, allowing the driver to have a clear idea and handle it with ease.
4. Impact on the environment and vehicles
Low dust: Some cheap brake pads generate a large amount of dust when worn, which not only pollutes the environment but also firmly adheres to the shiny wheels, making it difficult to clean and affecting the appearance of the vehicle.
High temperature resistance and anti-aging: During long downhill or continuous intense driving, the braking system generates extremely high heat. High quality brake pads have excellent resistance to thermal degradation, which means they can maintain stable braking force even at high temperatures. However, low-quality films may experience a sharp decrease in braking force or even complete failure due to overheating, leading to tragedy.
2、 How to make wise choices?
Faced with brake pads in the market ranging in price from tens to thousands of yuan, from the original factory to the brand's subsidiary factory, you need to become a "smart person".
1. Understand the types of brake pads
Metal sheet (semi metal/low metal): Durable, low cost, but may produce loud noise, wear brake discs quickly, and have average low-temperature performance.
Ceramic tiles: the current mainstream choice. The advantages are low noise, less dust, less wear on brake discs, and stable performance, but the price is usually higher than that of metal sheets.
NAO (low metal organic) sheet: Between the two, the performance is relatively balanced.
2. Match your driving habits and driving environment
Daily commuting and gentle driving: Choosing comfortable, quiet, and low dust ceramic tiles or high-quality NAO tiles is the ideal choice.
Enjoying intense driving or frequent high-speed driving: it is necessary to choose sports brake pads with stronger resistance to high temperatures and thermal degradation (which may belong to the category of high-performance metals or composite ceramics).
In rainy and snowy areas, the anti rust ability of brake pads and their quick response ability in humid environments should be considered.
3. Trust reliable brands and channels
Original accessories: high compatibility, stable performance, but usually expensive in price.
Internationally renowned brands (such as Bosch, Philodo, Tianhe, Brembo, etc.): With profound technological accumulation and strict quality standards, they are a reliable guarantee of quality and performance.
Legitimate domestic big brands: In recent years, they have made significant progress and have high cost-effectiveness, making them an affordable choice for many car owners.
Be wary of "three no" products: Do not purchase brake pads with unknown sources and simple packaging for cheap prices. The materials and craftsmanship cannot be guaranteed, which is a huge hidden danger to driving safety.
4. Choose professional installation services
Three parts of the product, seven parts of the installation. Even the best brake pads need to be installed by professional technicians using specialized tools, and coated with noise reducing paste, lubricating guide pins, etc. as required. Improper installation can directly lead to abnormal noise, uneven wear, and reduced braking effectiveness.
Conclusion
The brake pads, these seemingly ordinary black components, carry a heavy burden. It is unknown, but it stands up at critical moments. When choosing it, we should not take any chances or compromise. A wise choice is a great respect for oneself, one's family, and the lives of all traffic participants on the road. Please remember: never measure value by price when it comes to safety issues. Choosing a reliable pair of brake pads for your car is like putting a solid safety lock on your and your family's safe journey.
