Brake Pads and Shoes

Ceramic pads are quieter and are often used for most standard vehicles; however, they are more expensive. Metallic pads are made for heavy-duty use and may produce brake dust and create more noise.

Although your vehicle can run with worn brake pads, it won't be as safe because it will have longer stopping distances. This means that you could increase your chances of getting in an accident when you need to stop abruptly.

Often, you can replace just one brake pad or shoe; however, to maintain balanced driving and braking, you will have to replace them in pairs. For example, if the front brake pad on the driver's side needs replacement, you'll also need to replace the passenger brake pad. However, you won't need to replace the rear brake pads.

A vehicle with new brake pads and shoes is often safer, as they have a shorter stopping distance since they can stop quicker. They can also optimize the performance of other vehicle parts, such as the rotor, which can often be more costly to replace.

At Advance Auto Parts, you can buy brake pads from $50 to $80. These costs may vary depending on the material of the brake pad and shoe, as well as the vehicle model. If you have a newer or higher-end model, brake pads made explicitly for the model may cost more but often endure longer than a standard brake pad and shoe.

Although Advance Auto Parts doesn't offer installation services for brake pads or shoes, our expert staff can answer any questions you may have about installing these parts.

Over time, worn pads result in metal-to-metal contact that can warp or groove the rotors, another essential part of your braking system. If you let your brake pads and shoe wear down enough, you'll have to replace more of your braking system to ensure your safety.

Yes, front brakes often wear faster than their rear counterparts. This is because the front brakes have more weight to handle than the rear brakes, accommodating the driver and the engine bay.

Yes, you can extend the life of your brake pads and shoes by reducing weight in the front of the car, planning around rough terrain, wiping the dust off the rotors, avoiding speeding and abrupt stopping, and making slow turns. In addition, driving in adverse weather conditions frequently can wear down your brake pads faster. Although you can't always avoid these actions, such as abruptly braking to avoid an accident or driving in adverse weather conditions, thinking of these actions will often ensure your brake pads and shoes last longer.