#BrakePads

Automotive brakes haven’t changed much in nearly a century. Decades ago, engineers came up with a great system, and have largely stuck with it. With the dawn of electric vehicles, automakers had the opportunity to reinvent the system. But they decided not to. Instead, they made small changes and improvements, but left the core parts the same. Take a break and learn how brakes, how EV brakes are different, and why NRS galvanized brake pads are the perfect choice for electric vehicles.

When it comes to maintenance items on your vehicle, one of the most important components you need to pay attention to are brake pads. Having high-quality brake pads could save you from getting into an accident, and they should be replaced regularly. Unfortunately, shopping for the best brake pads can be cumbersome and tedious, with hundreds of options available in the market that cover a wide range of prices.

Whether you’re a seasoned shade tree mechanic, or a newbie just looking to get your feet wet, brake pad replacement is one of the best maintenance procedures you can do yourself. All it takes is a jack, some jack stands, a few basic hand tools, and of course, your replacement pads and pad hardware. In just the span of an afternoon, you can take your car from squealing, ineffective braking to like-new stopping performance, and you can save a substantial chunk of money doing it.

Brake pads are one of the most overlooked, but vital, parts of our vehicles’ health. Every time you use your car’s brakes, it slightly wears away the brake pad friction material. Over thousands upon thousands of stops, that wear adds up. Once the pads get to a certain thinness, it’s time to replace them. So how do you know when you’ve reached that point?

Thanks to its toughness, durability, and heat-handling properties, steel has long been the material of choice for building automobile braking system components. In fact, steel is used to create many parts of your car’s braking system—including its brake rotors, brake calipers, and components of the all-important brake pad.

Hyundai is calling back some older Elantra models for the same issue that plagued a group of Sonatas.

Ford has launched a Lifetime Brake Pad Guarantee program.

Teen drivers need to be extra vigilant on the roads – especially in winter. This isn’t just about distracted driving… it’s also about staying on top of proper car maintenance at a time when roads are at its worst.

According to a Consumer Reports survey, 40 percent of drivers postpone car maintenance or repairs, and drivers 18 to 34 years old are the most likely to put off work on brake pads or tires – items that are necessary for safe everyday driving. By cutting corners on proper car maintenance, a teen driver’s risk of getting into a car accident in inclement weather increases, as does their long-term car care costs.

To help combat this issue, Honeywell Friction Materials presents “Bendix Brakes for Teen Safety.” This social media campaign educates parents and teens about how important it is to keep up your car’s maintenance. Here are a few handy and easy tips to keep in mind:

• Change your wiper blades when you change your oil and check your fluid reservoirs once a month during the winter.

• When you brakes start to squeal, it’s time to change the brake pads, and if you here grinding noises, that signals a more serious problem. Get a certified technician to check out both noises immediately to prevent costly repairs.

• Do a tire tread test with a quarter – if you can see the top of Washington’s head, it’s time for new tires.

• Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze, so make sure the level is full and the mixture is accurate.

Visit Bendix Brakes for Teen Safety on Facebook or YouTube for information on getting teen drivers ready for winter. We’ve included a Bendix video after the jump – it’s a humorous stand-up routine that pokes fun at teens and winter drivers.