Ceramic brake pads are the hardest and most durable brake pad material on the market. Next up are metallic and semi-metallic brake pads. Organic brake pads are the softest and least durable pad material on the market. So to answer your question: ceramic brake pads last longer than metallic brake pads.
Brake pads can last anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. Their longevity depends on your driving style and typical driving conditions. Using data provided by Federal Highway Administration statistics on how many miles people drive annually, typical brake pads will last between 3 and 7 years.
A set of ceramic pads will tend to last longer than metallic pads because they are harder and wear less. Very low amounts of brake dust. Ceramic brake pads create much less brake dust than an organic or metallic pad.
In most vehicles, the front brake pads will wear out faster than the rear ones because they handle more weight. This is unless your car is used for carrying heavy loads at the back regularly, in which case the brake pads will at the back wear off faster.
A hydraulic brake system has advantages over traditional brakes. Hydraulic brakes are more efficient than most brakes when coming to a complete stop. Hydraulics also offer better cost economically and space compared to other types of brakes.
Your front brake pads will also wear down faster than your rear pads. The front of your vehicle handles a lot more weight transfer as you brake, causing more wear.
Carbon ceramic brakes are indeed better than steel brakes, but they don't decrease stopping distance, as people commonly think. Instead, they reduce brake fade, giving them a huge advantage at the race track.
The front of your vehicle handles a greater weight transfer than the back of the vehicle, causing your front brake pads to wear down faster than your rear pads. The type of brake pads your car uses can also determine how long they'll last.
Changing all four sets of pads at the same time optimizes the vehicle's braking capacity. The brakes are the second most important safety feature of any car or truck after the driver. It's critical to keep them in top shape.
While more expensive, ceramic pads will last much longer and can actually extend the life of the other components of your brakes because they are so resistant to heat.
Ceramic brake pads are best recommended to customers who do a lot of commuting/city driving, enjoy the look of cleaner rims free of black brake dust and don't push their vehicle through severe-duty use like heavy towing or track driving.
Carbon-ceramic discs have a higher friction coefficient, so they require less braking distance than cast iron discs. The higher friction coefficient generated by the carbon reduces the braking activation time, which means the car slows down before one with a traditional braking system.
Because the ceramic pads draw less heat, more heat remains in the rotor, which can cause rotor warping in extreme conditions. Metallic brake pads draw more heat and hold it longer than ceramics, but with the benefit of keeping the rotors cooler.
In general, brake pads should be replaced after approximately 80,000km. That said, some may need to be replaced after just 40,000km, whereas others can soldier on for up to 100,000km. How long car brakes last comes down to your driving habits, typical terrain and the material makeup of your brake system.
The most accurate answer is simply this: it depends on how you drive! Most car brakes will last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles–between three and six years for most daily drivers–but some sets may last even longer for those who exercise good habits.
Brake Pads Lifespan
Generally, you can drive between 48,000 to 110,000 kilometres before changing your brake pads. Some pads, however, can last up to 160,000 kilometres. However, the lifespan varies significantly, depending on your driving habits and the type of brake pads.
That's weight transfer. And that weight is transferring onto the front of the car, pushing down with greater force on the front wheels, and thus, the front brakes. That means more wear. So it's much more likely that you'll need to be changing brake pads in the front before you need to change them in the rear.
You can replace your brake pads in pairs (the front or the rear) at the same time or separately. If your front brake pads are in need of repair or replacement, your mechanic can fix this issue independently. It's also important to note that your front and rear brake pads wear at very different rates.
How much does it cost to replace all 4 brake pads? To replace all four brake pads, including parts and labor the cost ranges between $230 and $600 for all four wheels. These materials range in quality from poor quality to premium.
If the old rotors are kept on the vehicle, you run the risk of the pads wearing improperly. This can lead to the premature replacement of the brake pads which will be costly for the customer.
The overall vehicle design determines the brake bias from front to rear: Front brakes handle most of the braking force and build up most of the friction heat. Rear brakes take on less braking force but provide stability to prevent spin-outs and rollovers.
The number one reason is heat management. The enclosed design of a drum brake means the heat is generated inside, away from the outside air rushing by. The drum must be rather thick and heavy to do its job which means it takes a while for the heat to pass all the way through and reach the cooler ambient air.
Ceramic brake pads typically last longer than semi-metallic brake pads, and through their lifespan, provide better noise control and less wear-and-tear to brake rotors, without sacrificing braking performance.
Wear & Tear Residue: Compared to organic brake pads, ceramic brake pads tend to produce less dust and other particles as they wear down. Temperature & Driving Conditions: Compared to organic brake pads, ceramic brake pads can be more reliable in a broader range of temperatures and driving conditions.