Brake Pads vs Rotors

The brake pads and rotors are an essential part of your vehicle. Without properly working brakes, you can’t effectively bring your car to a stop. This could cause you to get in an accident around Amherst, Manchester, or Derry, NH.

There are many components that go into a braking system, so it can sufficiently do its job. Below, we’ll briefly tell you what those parts are. We’ll also delve deeper into brake pads vs. rotors, so you can know the differences between the two. Learn all about them below, and contact us at Ira Toyota of Manchester if you have any questions.

Breaking Down the Braking System

The biggest parts of a braking system are the:

• Brake pads
• Brake shoes
• Brake rotors

There are also brake calipers, which have their own components:

• Brake hardware
• Caliper pins
• Caliper bracket

While each component functions differently, they all have an important role to play in the braking system. Below, we’ll tell you a bit more about the two biggest parts: brake pads and brake rotors.

What Are Brake Pads?

Brake pads are found in the disc brake systems. They’re made from a flat piece of steel with a thick friction material applied to one side.

The brake pads are what constantly connect and squeeze the brake rotors to reduce the speed of your vehicle and secure it when stopping. Because of this, they need to be replaced the most.

They can be made from a variety of materials, including organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic. They each have their pros and cons, which will help determine which type is right for you.

Organic brake pads are made from such materials as glass, fiber, rubber, carbon, and Kevlar. They’re soft, quiet, and easy on brake rotors. They’re also great for normal driving across many different environments. However, they can wear out quicker than other brake pad types. Additionally, they only operate well within a pretty limited temperature range.

Semi-metallic brake pads contain 30-65% of metals like steel, iron, or copper. They’re pretty versatile, and are more durable/can last longer than organic pads. They’re more expensive than organic, are noisier, and can wear the brake rotors more quickly.

Ceramic brake pads are made up of a dense ceramic material with embedded copper fibers. They’re pretty quiet and can last longer than organic or semi-metallic. They also work well under a wide range of temperatures. However, they’re the most expensive type of brake pad and aren’t ideal in extremely cold climates.

What are Brake Rotors?

Brake rotors (or brake discs) are the large, flat circle discs that can be seen when changing a tire. When you press on the brake pedal, the calipers will cause the brake pads to fasten down on the rotors, which will prevent the wheels from spinning. They’re normally made from steel and iron and will last a long time before needing to be replaced (usually around 70,000 miles).

The rotors may need to be replaced when you hear squeaking or grinding sounds when braking, or when you feel vibrations or wobbling when applying the brakes. When you do have to replace them, be sure to get high-quality rotors. If you buy less expensive ones, they won’t perform as well. They contain less metal, will overheat faster, and will warp more often.

So, while you think you’re saving money, in reality, you’ll need to replace the rotors more often. This will result in you spending more money overall.

Learn More About Brake Pads vs Rotors

To learn more about brake pads vs rotors, contact the Ira Toyota of Manchester Service Center. If your vehicle needs brake service, then schedule an appointment over the phone or online. Supply us with information about your car, and we’ll confirm a day and time that work for you.

If you live near Amherst, Manchester, or Derry, don’t wait. Contact our service center today!

​