The second and more significant difference between brake pads is the material that is used for the friction segments. A variety of such materials are employed, and each type will yield different brake life and performance. Ceramic pads tend to manage heat better than organic or semi-metallic pads and also are made of a more durable material. These will generally provide the best life.

Although it fluctuates based on the type of road you’re on: the more miles you put in, the more you use your brakes and the faster your brake pads wear out. It's as simple as that. As mentioned earlier, driving habits will affect brake pad life. Disregarding this, pad life will primarily be related to the pad friction material as discussed in this article.This is an absolute minimum and indicates pad replacement is required immediately. You should limit your driving and get your car to your favorite repair or brake shop as soon as possible. It will show on the car's display board to indicate that at least one set of pads is almost worn out and a replacement needs to be fitted. Another factor in brake pad wear is the weight regularly being carried by the vehicle, e.g. four or five passengers, fully loaded boot, towing a caravan etc. When the vehicle is lighter it’s easier to slow down and stop with less braking effort required. If a lot of your driving is done on the motorway, you might find your brake pads last longer than if you drive more around inner cities and on shorter journeys. If you want to avoid cleaning brake dust from your wheels, ceramic pads are your best option. However, they can prove expensive and you may want to go for organic brake pads that give off slightly more debris. Cost

tighten the clamp– allow pressure in the system to escape by removing the top from the brake fluid reservoir – watch for overflowing liquid as you tighten the clampIt's worth taking into account the following factors to give you an idea of how long your brake pads might last. Where you drive It may be tempting to buy cheaper parts to save on costs, however, the budget option may end up more expensive over time. Look out for quality pads that offer more value for money by avoiding the need to buy and fit replacements. Organic brakes are perfectly suitable for smaller cars and a great option if you’re looking for something eco-friendly and easy on your discs, however, their shorter lifespan may not suit your needs. Services will assess the condition of brake pads but at other times, listen and look for the possible flaws mentioned below.

Your ideal brake pads will depend on your driving style and the conditions that you keep and drive your car in. You’ll need to consider the following: Material If you can hear a loud screeching sound when braking it's a real warning sign that new brake pads are needed, or at least the current ones require inspection. Larger, more powerful car owners may want to fit metallic pads for their improved stopping power but should be aware that they’re usually louder than other materials. That’s because urban journeys require more stopping and starting at traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions – so your brakes are used far more often than when cruising along on a motorway. The weight of your car Ceramic brakes are perfect for high-performance, long-lasting and near-silent braking, but come with an expensive price tag. Operating temperature

There should be at least 3mm of pad visible. If you see anything less, get the brake pads inspected. Although damaged brake pads often give off a screeching sound, perfectly good pads can also be noisy. Metallic pads tend to be the loudest, followed by organic pads. Never ignore brake pads that need replacing. Most vehicles are fitted with wear sensors to detect when front or rear brake pads are getting critically low. However, there are other signs to look out for too. Warning light Semi-metallic pads are harder than organic types and are fabricated of a more durable material. These will provide superior stopping performance and will last longer than organic pads.