Brake Smarter: Improve Vehicle Performance with Ceramic Brake Pad Installation

When it comes to replacing your car’s brake parts with ceramic brake pads, it’s important to follow some guidelines that enable the parts to break in properly. This process is sometimes referred to as “bedding-in”, and it can make all the difference when it comes to the longevity of the parts and improving your vehicles performance.

Before beginning the process of installing new ceramic brake pads, make sure you clean the surfaces of any rotors, or other brake components, that may have debris or build-up on them. This additional step will make the transition smoother and improve the performance of the new parts. You should also have your mechanic inspect the rotors on your vehicle before beginning the replacement process, as an incorrectly calibrated rotor may affect the performance of the brakes, even with the new brake pads installed.

Once the new parts are on, you’ll need to give them a proper “seasoning”, or breaking-in, process to ensure that they’ll wear properly and you’ll get the full value out of them for your vehicle. There are a few specific steps to do this. For instance, when attempting to get the new brake pads to wear evenly, you’ll want to start and stop your car at certain speeds. For ceramic brake parts, a good rule of thumb could be to make a few stops from 30 mph to 10 mph, followed by several stopped at 50 mph to 10 mph. Gradually increase the speed and strength of the brakes as the parts begin to wear in. This same rule can apply when you’re trying to break in other brake parts, like stabilizers.

Once the parts have been broken in and you can start driving your vehicle, be mindful of how you’re applying the brakes. At first, apply them more decisively, and avoid any kind of dragging or partial foot pressure on the brake pedal. Additionally, while you’re breaking in the new parts, remember to avoid stop-and-go traffic for the first few weeks, as constant starts and stop can cause wear more quickly on the new parts. If possible, look for routes that involve large roads with few stopping points, allowing for a smoother and more even breaking-in process.

Follow these tips when breaking in new ceramic brake pads, and you should have them properly aligned in no time. Clean surfaces, properly calibrate rotors, season and apply brakes decisively, and avoid stop-and-go traffic during the initial stages of use. This process won’t take long and it could save you money in the long run, by making sure your ceramic brake components last longer.