There are four types of brake pads—semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic (NAO), low-metallic NAO, and ceramic—and it’s important to know which type is best for your vehicle.

Semi metallic pads (metallic brake pads) are made for performance with extended durability and a much better braking response than organic pads. You can expect a semi metallic pad to last for about 50,000 miles.

How to make brake pads last longer:

1. Drive with the flow of traffic to avoid any unnecessary heavy braking.
2. Give yourself plenty of following distance from the car in front of you so you can coast to a nice, easy stop.
3. Remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle.

The difference between ceramic and metallic brake pads is that ceramic pads are quieter and cleaner in comparison to organic and semi-metallic pads, less abrasive on rotors, and often last longer than others.

Let’s get started.

1. Speed Is The Enemy. When it comes to braking, full and complete stops from a high speed are absolutely the #1 cause of premature brake pad wear.
2. Never “Two-Foot” Your Pedals.
3. Coast More You Can.
4. Don’t “Hurry Up To Stop”
5. Keep Your Car As Light As Possible.
6. Flush Your Brakes Every 2 Years.

The problem is, brake pads produce brake dust as they wear. Tiny particles of copper in the dust can be washed from roadways into lakes and streams by rainfall. Environmental studies have shown that copper can be toxic to aquatic life.

Brake pads are attached to your wheel, with each one on either side of the wheel. When you press the brake in your car, the brake pads are pushed toward the wheel to apply friction to stop the car. When the brake pads push against the wheel to get it to stop, the friction will rub the pads and cause them to wear down.

Whether you need affordable brake pads with standard performance, Duralast Gold brake pads with a limited lifetime warranty, or Duralast Elite pads for longer lasting safe stops, or anything in-between, AutoZone has what it takes to do the job right.

When you press the brake in your car, the brake pads are pushed toward the wheel to apply friction to stop the car. When the brake pads push against the wheel to get it to stop, the friction will rub the pads and cause them to wear down.

Brake pads feature a metal backing plate with friction material on its face that presses against the brake rotor surface to stop your vehicle. They are compressed by the brake caliper when it receives hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder. Brake pads naturally wear down over time, but it’s important to pay attention to their wear patterns.