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Alas, even the most wear-resistant models of brake pads require timely replacement. How to choose the right pair for a car, which of them are considered reliable, what should you focus on when choosing? CP together with an expert Sergey Dyachenko, founder of a car service and auto parts store, compiled a rating of manufacturers of automotive pads with examples of the best samples on the market. But first, let’s refresh our knowledge about the structure of the car and figure out why they are needed. By depressing the brake, the driver presses the brake pad against the disc or drum, thereby creating resistance to rotation. The design of the block itself includes three elements:
- metal base;
- friction lining made of rubber, resin, ceramic or synthetic materials. If the manufacturer does not save on lining components, then the pads are wear-resistant, that is, resistant to temperature rise resulting from friction during braking;
- various coatings (anti-corrosion, anti-noise and so on).
Pads are a consumable item that every motorist and mechanic is familiar with. The frequency of their replacement depends directly on the quality of the spare part. When choosing a manufacturer, the car owner cares not only about the safety of the driver and passengers, but also about his budget, since high-quality pads will last longer. Our rating of the best brake pads in 2022 will help you make the right choice in favor of a particular model.
In this article, we will look at brake pads that are suitable for a city car. The requirements for pads for special equipment or racing models of cars are different.
Editor’s Choice
ATE
So, the German company ATE is among the leaders in the market for shoes for the “citizens”. The company was founded more than 100 years ago and from year to year continues to improve its production and performance evaluation system. Each product is carefully tested before being released to the market. It is ATE pads (ceramic and carbide) that are most often found in luxury and sports cars.
Which model should you pay attention to:
ETA 13.0460-5991.2
These brake pads, according to the manufacturer, are subject to replacement only after 200 thousand kilometers. An impressive result, taking into account the fact that the model at the same time works absolutely silently until the mechanical sound wear sensor works. German quality speaks for itself.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 127,2 |
| Height (mm) | 55 |
| Thickness (mm) | 18 |
| Wear sensor | with sound warning |
Advantages and disadvantages:
Rating of the top 10 best brake pad manufacturers according to KP
Given the fact that there is always a demand for pads, there are only more manufacturers and models on the market. In a store with a wide range of from budget to expensive models of brake pads, even a car mechanic will get lost. To help you choose a quality product, we publish a ranking of the best manufacturers whose products are recommended by a wide range of experts and experienced car owners.
1. Ferodo
The British company Ferodo, popular in Our Country, is seriously concerned about the issue of pad wear resistance. In the course of research, she managed to create a friction material for the lining that is unique in its structure, thereby increasing the service life of the consumable by 50%. At the same time, the price remained affordable for most motorists. The products of this company can be trusted, because each batch is tested and all the necessary control measures.
Which model should you pay attention to:
Ferodo FDB2142EF
Brake pads of this manufacturer are a symbiosis of comfort and safety. Car enthusiasts choose this option with a wear indicator for the best value for money.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 123 |
| Height (mm) | 53 |
| Thickness (mm) | 18 |
| Wear sensor | with sound warning |
Advantages and disadvantages:
2. Akebono
The Akebono brand, originally from Japan, is associated with customers with products whose performance, regardless of the model, is always on top. Friction linings are presented both organic and composite. The pads of this manufacturer are from an expensive price category, but their service life is higher than that of competitors.
The advantages of the company include the following facts:
- a wide range of consumables for at least 50 car brands;
- All pads are “dust-free” and protected from overheating.
Which model should you pay attention to:
Akebono AN302WK
These disc brake pads are an example of high Japanese quality. Buyers are not repelled by the price, which is justified by silent operation and high wear resistance.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 73,3 |
| Height (mm) | 50,5 |
| Thickness (mm) | 16 |
| Wear sensor | with sound warning |
Advantages and disadvantages:
3. Brembo
Brembo is an Italian manufacturer of automotive brake systems, specializing in the development of pads and discs for high-end and industrial sports cars. There are a huge number of different models of this brand on the market, their range contains more than 1,5 thousand products at the moment. The company occupies a certain niche in the market and produces products with a focus on “sport”, that is, high-quality pads for lovers of more aggressive, sporty driving.
Which model should you pay attention to:
P30056
The brake pads are characterized by maximum braking comfort and reduced wear. Friction materials comply with all environmental standards. Included is a sonic wear indicator.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 137,7 |
| Height (mm) | 60,8 |
| Thickness (mm) | 17,5 |
| Wear sensor | with sound warning |
Advantages and disadvantages:
4. Nisshinbo
Our rating also includes a Japanese company that works with materials from the aforementioned British Ferodo. The braking performance of the models of this manufacturer is on top. This company differs from competitors in that it produces a whole line of special pads for sports cars and city cars.
Which model should you pay attention to:
Nisshinbo NP1005
Buyers prefer the Nisshinbo NP1005 shoe model. They have a mechanical wear sensor so that the driver does not forget to replace the consumable in a timely manner.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 116,4 |
| Height (mm) | 51,3 |
| Thickness (mm) | 16,6 |
| Wear sensor | mechanical |
Advantages and disadvantages:
5. Strip
The Spanish company has been manufacturing drum and disc pads for half a century. Recently they have added a thin layer of silicone to the lining, thereby improving the contact between the disc/drum and the pad. The company avoids in the production of heavy metals.
Which model should you pay attention to:
Remsa 154802
Perhaps this is the most popular model of this manufacturer, with a mechanical wear sensor. The coefficient of friction is average, but the price matches. The excellent decision in balance of the price and quality.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 148,7 |
| Height (mm) | 60,7 |
| Thickness (mm) | 15,8 |
| Wear sensor | mechanical with audible signal |
Advantages and disadvantages:
6. TRW
TRW Automotive Inc. is another company from Germany that produces high-end pads.
Production technologies are classical, with mandatory phased tests to assess the quality of the goods. According to consumers, TRW brake pads wear out gradually and do not lose effectiveness over their entire service life. Often, motorists say that the quality of products depends on the place of production, because TRW plants are located in several countries at once. This company was brought to the top by the use of DTec technology, which reduces dust formation during the operation of the pads.
Which model should you pay attention to:
TRW GDB1065
The top model of the manufacturer, which is most often chosen by motorists – TRW GDB1065. Unfortunately, the model does not have a wear sensor, so the replacement may not always be timely, the car owner will have to monitor the service life on their own.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 79,6 |
| Height (mm) | 64,5 |
| Thickness (mm) | 15 |
| Wear sensor | no |
Advantages and disadvantages:
7. Sangshin
Some of the best rear disc pads are made by the South Korean brand Sangshin. Original solutions and innovations in the course of production help to maintain the leading position of the company, for example, additional dust grooves are created, new compositions of the friction nozzle are used. One of the latest updates was Kevlar reinforcement of the metallic and organic bases of the pads. Thus, Koreans significantly extend the life of their products.
According to customer reviews, this is one of the most popular brands in the market. Buyers are attracted by several product lines at once, for any budget and for any request.
Which model should you pay attention to:
SPRING BRAKE SP1401
The degree of friction and the level of safety of the pads correspond to the request of a classic city car. Suitable for a large number of Korean car models.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 151,4 |
| Height (mm) | 60,8 |
| Thickness (mm) | 17 |
Advantages and disadvantages:
8. Hella Pagid
Hella Pagid Brake Systems is an experimental company in terms of refining the rubber composition. Various stress tests at the quality control stage help to create only working consumables.
The advantage of the manufacturer can be safely called a wide range, where the number of pads offered has already exceeded 20 thousand.
Which model should you pay attention to:
Hella Pagid 8DB355018131
Car enthusiasts prefer this model for its versatility: it can be used in all weather conditions and there is a wear sensor.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 99,9 |
| Height (mm) | 64,8 |
| Thickness (mm) | 18,2 |
| Wear sensor | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages:
9. Allied Nippon
The Japanese brand has already met us in today’s ranking, but Allied Nippon requires special attention. Pad makers have overcome high dustiness and rapid wear of consumables with the help of a new composite material. The company produces a range of urban and sports brake pads, considering the importance of reliable braking in urban environments.
Which model should you pay attention to:
Аllied Nippon ADB 32040
This model is associated with buyers with a good degree of reliability and a stable coefficient of friction. The noise level in operation is low, plus there are disc-saving properties.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 132,8 |
| Height (mm) | 58,1 |
| Thickness (mm) | 18 |
Advantages and disadvantages:
10. Texts
We give the final place in the ranking to the German company Textar, which has managed to work with large auto concerns such as Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz over its hundred-year history. Performance is only getting better every year.
Which model should you pay attention to:
Lyrics 2171901
This model is in great demand. This premium product does not generate dust during operation, protects the disc, and is completely silent.
Features:
| Width (mm) | 88,65 |
| Height (mm) | 46,8 |
| Thickness (mm) | 17 |
Advantages and disadvantages:
How to choose brake pads
Each car owner has his own individual selection options and quality criteria when buying a particular product. But, according to the advice of experts in the automotive world, you need to choose pads depending on:
- the type of your car (and here we are talking not only about the brand, but also about the operating conditions and the way you drive);
- compatibility with brake discs;
- operating temperature and coefficient of friction.
Let’s take a closer look at these concepts.
The conditions under which you use the vehicle determine the required consumables. Aggressive driving or smooth driving in the city dictates to us the choice of the type of pads – drum, disc, pads of various composition, that is, low or semi-metallic, ceramic or completely organic. For mountainous terrain, harsh climates and high humidity, a completely different type of brake system elements is suitable.
Operating temperature and coefficient of friction are important characteristics that indicate the operating conditions of a particular model. The exact figures are always indicated on the product packaging: for urban driving, look for pads that must be resistant to 300°C, and for sports cars at least 700°C. The coefficient of friction is a marker of how hard/fast the pad stops the wheel when in contact with the disc. The higher the coefficient of friction, the more efficient your pad will brake. It is generally accepted to designate with letters, and the further the letter is in alphabetical order, the higher the coefficient. For the city, focus on the letters E or F, with the numbers 0,25 – 0,45.
The main characteristics that you should pay attention to when choosing brake pads:
- quality and materials;
- the presence of a wear sensor;
- manufacturer’s reputation;
- test results;
- working temperature;
- noiselessness;
- level of abrasiveness;
- customer reviews;
- availability in auto parts stores.
When choosing brake pads for your car, taking into account the ratio of price and quality, do not forget that your safety and the safety of your loved ones depend on it.
Popular questions and answers
Together with an expert, we answer the most frequent questions of KP readers:
How often should brake pads be changed?
The load on the front pads is much higher than on the rear ones, so they will have to be changed twice as often. To guide the period for replacing the pads, we take the average mileage. So, the front ones, most likely, will have to be changed after 10 thousand kilometers. The rear ones must be replaced after 30 thousand kilometers. This is if we are talking about popular, not very expensive pad models. The premium segment has different figures, the pads last longer by 10-15 thousand kilometers.