Ceramic vs. Semi-Metallic Brake Pads

Speed, performance, and fuel efficiency tend to dominate most car conversations, but stopping power is just as important. Don’t wait until there is a problem. Consult your manufacturer’s vehicle owner’s guide and schedule your next brake service on time. Preventative maintenance is crucial for your car, and this is especially true of your brakes.

But before you schedule your next brake service, you might want to consider which type of brake pads are best for your vehicle: ceramic or semi-metallic?

Don’t know the difference? Don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for…

The Brake Pad Basics

Before you purchase new brake pads, think about how and what you drive. Your driving style and the make of your vehicle should help point you in the right direction.

Ceramic and semi-metallic brake pads are among the most common on the market, but their differences warrant a closer, albeit quick examination.

First Up: Ceramic Brake Pads

Though they have been around since the 1980s, ceramic brake pads are still considered cutting-edge in brake pad technology. Not much has significantly developed since, and so ceramic brake pads, composed of durable ceramic combined with copper fiber, are the more high-end of these common brake pads.

Compared to semi-metallic brake pads, ceramic brake pads are quieter, cleaner, and longer-lasting. That said, these brake pads are not appropriate for heavy towing or racing. Although they are cleaner than semi-metallic brake pads, they do have the potential to inflict more wear and tear on your brake rotors.

Cost is, of course, a factor with any purchase, and ceramic brake pads are priced higher than their semi-metallic counterparts.

Next: Semi-Metallic Brake Pads

These bad boys are the veterans of the brake pad population, and consist of various amounts of metal fibers. Depending on their quality, semi-metallic brake pads will either have finer fibers (higher quality) or bigger and coarser fibers (lesser quality).

Climate is a consideration with semi-metallic brake pads, as they are ideal for cold weather and tough winters. Semi-metallic brake pads have excellent track and towing capabilities. Easier on the brake rotors than the ceramic pads, the semi-metallic option is more affordable, too.

However, semi-metallic brake pads do create more dust, which can get stuck to the wheels, and they are louder than the hushed ceramic brake pads, and not as long lasting.

If you’re still not entirely sure what kind of brake pads are right for your vehicle, consult this guide, or schedule a service appointment and discuss it with your trusted auto mechanic.

No matter which option you ultimately choose, make sure you’re keeping a close watch on the condition of your brake system for optimal safety on the road.