Brake Pads vs Brake Rotors

Your vehicle’s braking system may seem just as complicated as it is important. That’s why the team at Jim Sipala’s Kia of West Chester have put together this guide on two of the most important components in this system: the brake pads and the brake rotors. As a convenience to drivers in West Chester, Springfield, and Philadelphia, we will cover what these parts are, what they do, and how they differ.

What are Brake Pads?

To give the most basic answer to that question, brake pads are rectangular steel plates coated in friction material. This friction material usually consists of ceramic, metallic, or organic materials. There are many different kinds of brake pads that range from very soft to hard and durable to accommodate for different driving styles and manufacturer recommendations. These plates are affixed to a clamp mechanism called the brake caliper that applies pressure to the brake rotors in order to slow down the vehicle. This mechanism is controlled by the brake pedal under the driver’s foot. It’s advised that you apply light pressure to your brake pedal to preserve your brake pads. Slamming on the brakes can wear them down quicker and require them to be replaced more often than normally necessary.

What are Brake Rotors?

Brake rotors, like brake pads, are essential to the braking system. The brake rotors are also known as brake discs because of their circular disc shape. They are attached to the vehicle’s axle and spin seamlessly between the brake calipers until the brake pedal is pressed. This will then cause the brake calipers to clamp down on the rotor and the brake pads to cause friction which ultimately slows down the vehicle. Brake rotors, unlike brake pads, are made of hard materials like steel or grey cast iron. They come is a few different designs. There are solid brake rotors, which are better suited for smaller vehicles. There are also ventilated rotors that are somewhat hallowed to prevent overheating. This is good for large vehicles or vehicles carrying or hauling a lot of weight.

What’s the Difference?

There are many differences between brake pads and brake rotors even though they work together to do the same job of slowing your vehicle down. For starters, brake pads and brake rotors are made of different materials. Pads are made of softer materials and rotors are made of harder materials. They’re also different shapes: brake pads are thicker rectangles and brake rotors as thinner discs. Another big difference between these two brake components is how often you should have them replaced. As we’ve already discovered, brake pads are made of less-dense materials and should be replaced more often. If you use your brakes properly, your brake pads can last as long as 50,000 miles. As for your brake rotors, they can last as long as 70,000 miles.

Learn More

We hope our guide to brake pads and brake rotors has given you a better understanding of how your vehicle’s braking system works. If you still have questions, about your brakes or otherwise, we’d be happy to hear from you! Contact us today at Kia of West Chester, a proud dealership of West Chester, Springfield, and Philadelphia, PA.