Top Types of Brakes & Pads That Those in Auto Careers Should Know About

For an aspiring auto technician, you’ll be joining a successful and rewarding career, where your expertise will be needed to service the different types of vehicles that are on the road today. Some of the most common services and repairs are related to the wheels and brakes of a vehicle. 

At ATC Surrey, you’ll get hands-on experience in automotive technology with a focus on wheel alignment training and brakes. This will allow you to specialize in the wheel and brakes area of the auto mechanic trade. Knowing the top types of brakes and brake pads will help you provide proper service and recommendations to your customers when they drop by with their vehicles.

So, know the top types of brakes and brake pads used in vehicles today!

You’ll Find Hydraulic Brakes Are Most Common in Auto Careers

When you start your auto career specializing in wheels and brakes, you’ll notice that the most common brakes in modern vehicles today are hydraulic brakes. This is because hydraulic brakes utilize the ease and fluidity of brake fluid to transmit force directly to all the wheels of a vehicle when the brakes are applied. 

After you complete your training in the automotive industry, you’ll see how hydraulic brakes use springs and two pistons – one master and one slave that are filled with fluid and placed on top of each other. The master piston holds most of the brake fluid. When the brake pad is pressed, the master piston’s fluid is released into the two slave pistons, causing them to be pushed together against the rotor to stop the vehicle. 

Electromagnetic Brakes Are Becoming Widely Used 

For those who are in auto careers, you’ll be seeing more electromagnetic brakes on passenger vehicles. These types of brakes were originally invented in 1887 and were widely used for trains. With technological advancement, electromagnetic brakes are now being used more and more in most hybrid and electric vehicles. 

These types of brakes use electricity that’s powered by a motor. This applies mechanical friction to the brake pads that causes them to be pressed together using electromagnetic force. Electromagnetic brakes use a surge of electrical current that moves through a coil located on the brakes. This, in turn, creates the strong magnetic force needed to move the rotating coil or coils of an electric motor.

Ceramic Brake Pads Top the List 

Ceramic brake pads are considered to be the best type of brake pads available in the automotive industry. They’re still relatively new within the industry but have generated quite the admiration from auto manufacturers. You’ll probably get to service them when luxury vehicles drop into the auto shop. Brands like Mercedes, Lexus, Jaguar and Range Rover are known to be using ceramic brakes for their vehicles. Ceramic brake pads are on the expensive side with high-end materials. They’re able to disperse heat effectively and offer vehicles excellent stopping power, high durability, less noise, and less dust.

Semi-Metallic Brake Pads Are Also a Top Pick

Semi-metallic brake pads are the most common brake pads you’ll find in most cars today. The pad’s material consists of 30% to 70% metal that’s mixed with steel wire wool, copper and graphite. This allows the semi-metallic brake pads to withstand heat, which is vital for the durability and performance of the brakes. 

Semi-metallic brake pads tend to be cheaper than ceramic brake pads and function well in different weather conditions, especially in wet conditions as they can dry faster. 

Are you interested in auto tech technician training in Vancouver?

Launch your career with a program at ATC Surrey!