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What are brake pads made of?

I took my car in for an inspection, and the mechanic told me that I’ll need to replace my brake pads within the next 5,000 miles. He’s recommending that I use ceramic pads, but I thought they were made out of metal. What are brake pads made of?

avatar
Rachel Rigolino · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! As it turns out, brake pads are made out of a variety of materials, as this chart demonstrates:
Material
Pros
Cons
Organic: grass, fiber, rubber
Inexpensive
Wears out sooner
Semi-metallic: metal shavings with resin
Good for extreme temps and heavy-duty use
Can be noisy
Ceramic: ceramic fibers
Long-lasting
Expensive
Now, keep in mind that experts often recommend you replace both your brake pads and rotors at the same time. The average cost to replace brake pads and rotors will be $500-$700.
When you schedule your brake pad replacement, you can discuss these options with your mechanic.
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