Brake rotors and brake pads slow or stop your car through the use of friction.  But, did you know that there are two different friction mechanisms at which brakes operate?  If not, no need to worry.  This article will tell you what these two friction mechanisms are and why it will prove useful for you to know.  

So, what are the two friction mechansims you say?  The answer is abrasive and adherent friction.  Abrasive friction and adherent friction are the two ways your brakes absorb and handle heat when stopping. While all brakes display a bit of both mechanisms, certain vehicles might utilize one over the other.

Abrasive friction is the mechanism by which the energy of motion is transferred to thermal energy through the breaking of chemical bonds of the brake pads and the brake rotors.  T...

There are many choices when it comes to types of brake pads and friction materials. Generally, what you want are brake pads that are equivalent to original equipment as these brake pads are what the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. However, it’s no secret that original equipment parts can be quite costly. Fortunately, there are many aftermarket brake parts companies which offer OEM equivalent or premium grade brake pads that may perform just as well, if not better than stock and at a better price point. This article is geared towards helping you identify and choose a brake pad that best suit your driving.

What are your options?

As mentioned earlier, there are many different types of brake pads: there are economy aftermarket brake pads, standard aftermarket brake pads, premium aftermarket...