Ceramic, Semi-Metallic, & Organic: Brake Pad Types Explained

Ceramic, Semi-Metallic, and Organic brake pad types are the three most common brake pad material options available today. What type is the best, which pads last the longest, and which brake pads tend to cost the least? That and more is explained in this video!

Ceramic brake pads are Steve's favorite, since they typically handle the most heat. Organic pads offer great stopping power for a low cost, but with some trade-offs, such as producing a lot of brake dust. No matter what any company says, there is no such thing as a dust-free pad; brakes make dust as they wear down, and no one has made brake pads that don't wear down yet.

0:00 Introduction to Brake Pad Types
0:50 Asbestos Brake Pads
1:24 Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
1:48 Organic Brake Pads
2:19 Ceramic Brake Pads
2:59 Carbon-Ceramic Brakes
3:45 Passenger Versus Race Car Pads
4:24 Final Thoughts

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Main background track by Sawtooth:

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[EPYes]

Your channel better grow huge!
Informative, clarity, well spoken, and even a clever joke (organic brakes, kale) 😆 😎

[carlosmaldonado]

yeah good job on that call back on the asbestos brake shoes !!!! i have read tv ads that inform people about financial re-compensation for those who have been infected by this product !

[WBodyTech]

Great video, This is something that a lot of people have trouble with when choosing new brakes or upgraded ones.

[zxdfty]

Thanks! I watched you video because I am trying to understand brake pad options for my (human-powered) touring bike. There are so many options available as technology evolves, and trickles down to bicycles, but it's been rather confusing to sort through all the waffle about the various attributes of each brake compound.

Your descriptions were very clear, and now -- even more so -- I'm leaning towards ceramic pads. Thanks again!

[Garage]

Bamboo fiber and kale! Hahaha. Nice quick overview. I generally go with ceramic these days. Less dust and work well. They don't tend to rust solid to the rotors when sitting either, which is a big thing for me.

[SalemDoyle]

Great vid. On a side note, a couple manufacturers are doing "hybrid" pds now i think they are ceramic/semi metalic

[MrSchmuff]

good video! nice and simple. was just looking to see if ceramic pads give me the benefits (long life and less dust) i was thinking.
do you also have a video on the differences in brake discs?

[Solorah]

why do I get more brake dust and whenever I brake it feels like I’m grinding on something going from 30 mph to 0 ..coming from OEM to ceramic pads

[shizi]

Helpful.. I wondered if my ceramic pads are compatible with a metal rotor. Coz it's significantly weaker now than the stock pad.

[judge]

What type of Brake Pads are you running on your GTO? I just bought HAWKS “NEW”street 5.O pads recently. Can’t wait 😊 to try them out. Good reviews on them so far.

[jeeper]

which pad type would you recommend for a 4x4 that sees street, trail, and tow duty? i'm considering converting to ceramics, but i've been told that i would have to use a harder brake rotor than came stock on my vehicle

[MrJohnnyDistortion]

Which material brake best/quickest with slotted & cross drilled rotors?

[davemcguigan]

I heard Akebono made great brake pads. Ever heard of them or used them?

[tsifty]

So what good combination for pads and rotors for a daily car and performance in the same time? Ceramic with drill rotors?

[rameshwarudgiri]

HI i am rameshwar udgiri, currently i am in formula student design competition, i have the problems related to the friction material that what i choose for my vehicle ?

[darrinfrench]

By how much differences between Ceramic vs semimetal pads in stopping?

10% -20 % difference? As for distances

[abdullahaltalha]

I want know wich better for my Suburban ceramic or metal bad?

[ARCSTREAMS]

i hear ceramics dont do so well in cold climates and need to heat up first to come to proper working point, , , also i do not see any other choice than metalic, semi metalic and ceramic, , have not heard organic, , , i need a brake and rotor job real soon for my pontic pursuit 2006, , i drive it in both hwy and urban and put on average 10k /yr and i live in canada what do you recomend?

[Luisserio]

I don’t know what brake pads are best for my Jetta 2017 someone recommend me please

[ARCSTREAMS]

think ill go with oak wood, , they may smell like bbq when overheated but i think they will last and certainly be the quietest and no wear n tear to the rotors