Analyze your style of driving to determine the best type of brake pads for your minivan.
Since brake pads depend more on your driving style than the type of car you have, it's wise to look at the facts about different types of brake pads to make an educated choice for your minivan. Minivans are heavier than sedans or compact cars, so brake pads made with heavier materials are usually a better choice. There are pros and cons to each type of pad you can buy.
Fair: Nonasbestos Organic Brake Pads
NAO brake pads, as they are sometimes called, are organically made from rubber, glass, carbon and synthetic fibers. These brake pads were designed in place of asbestos pads, which caused several problems and were eventually discontinued. Since these pads have no metal, they naturally make less noise, but they wear quickly. They also create quite a bit of dust.
Good: Low Metallic NAO Brake Pads
These type of brake pads have a small amount of metal mixed in with the organic materials, usually around 10 to 30 percent. The metal helps with heat transfer and makes the pads brake better and last a little longer, but they create more noise than purely organic pads.
Better: Semimetallic Brake Pads
Semimetallic brake pads usually have anywhere from 30 to 65 percent metal. They are made from other elements like wire, steel wool and graphite. The metals are mixed with various types of inorganic material to bond everything. These type of brake pads are great for minivans since these have better heat transfer and are durable. The downside to these types of brakes are that they usually wear down rotors quickly and make noise. They may also be faulty in colder weather.
Best: Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are usually the most expensive. They are made primarily of small amounts of metal and ceramic fibers, along with filler materials and bonding agents. These are generally cleaner and quieter than other types of brake pads. They last long and provide great braking without wearing down the rotors too quickly.
Excellent: Premium Brakes
A newer type of brake pad on the market is specifically targeted at larger vehicles. These premium brake pads are designed for the best noise resistance and longest wear. They are typically very expensive, but are the best type of brake pads and the best value brake pads you can get for a minivan.
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