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Views: 28 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-10 Origin: Site
Mountain roads are winding and steep, with frequent sharp turns, long descents, and continuous braking, placing extreme stress on a vehicle's braking system. Brake pads, as the core component of direct friction braking, have a performance that is directly related to driving safety. Compared to urban roads, mountainous roads place higher demands on brake pads for high-temperature resistance, wear resistance, and stability. Choosing the right product is crucial for easily navigating complex mountain roads.
The unique characteristics of mountain driving place high pressure on brake pads for extended periods of time. These scenarios are particularly challenging:
• Continuous braking on long downhill slopes: When descending steep slopes, vehicles must gently apply the brakes for extended periods to control speed. This constant friction between the brake pads and the brake disc causes temperatures to rise rapidly (reaching 600-800°C in extreme cases). Inadequate heat resistance can lead to "thermal fade," a sudden drop in friction coefficient, increased braking distance, and even temporary failure.
• High-frequency braking on sharp turns: Mountain roads are prone to numerous curves, often requiring repeated braking operations of "decelerating, cornering, and accelerating." Brake pads undergo multiple friction and cooling cycles in a short period of time. Unstable materials can easily lead to uneven wear, unusual noises, or vibrations.
• Heavy loads or hill starts: When starting with a full load of passengers or luggage, or when starting in a semi-clutch mode while climbing a hill, the brake pads are subject to greater pressure, requiring higher standards for friction coefficient stability and wear resistance. Otherwise, problems such as slippage and insufficient power transmission may occur.
Selecting the right brake pads for mountain roads depends on the following three core indicators, none of which can be ignored:
• Core standard: Friction coefficient stability at high temperatures. High-quality brake padsmust pass a "high-temperature friction test" to ensure a friction coefficient fluctuation of no more than 15% between 300 and 800°C (common brake pads may exceed 30%).
• Why it's important: When braking on long downhill slopes, if the brake pad temperature exceeds a critical value and the friction coefficient drops significantly, it can lead to a "soft brake feel" and "no response when you step on it," posing a direct safety threat. For example, ceramic brake pads, containing high-temperature-resistant ceramic fibers, maintain stable friction even at high temperatures, while traditional asbestos brake pads may fail above 400°C.
• Core Standard: The wear rate (thickness loss per mileage) must be less than 0.01mm/100km (compared to approximately 0.015-0.02mm/100km for standard urban brake pads).
• Why it's important: Braking frequency in mountainous areas is two to three times higher than in urban areas. If the wear resistance is poor, a brake pad may need replacement after just one or two long mountain trips, increasing costs and potentially leading to failure due to excessive wear. Semi-metallic brake pads, containing high-hardness metal particles, offer superior wear resistance to purely organic brake pads, making them more suitable for mountainous areas.
• Core Range: We recommend choosing brake pads with a friction coefficient between 0.45 and 0.55 (marked as "Grade F" or "Grade G").
• Why It's Important: A friction coefficient that's too low (less than 0.4) results in insufficient braking force and longer stopping distances. A friction coefficient that's too high (greater than 0.6) can lead to premature braking, tire slippage (especially on slippery mountain roads), and increased brake disc wear. Mountain roads require a balance between "sufficient braking force" and "smooth braking." 0.45-0.55 is the optimal range.
Combining performance and practicality, the following two types of brake pads are optimal for mountain driving. Choose your preferred choice based on vehicle type and frequency of use:
• Material Characteristics: Primarily composed of a metal base material such as steel wool or copper fiber, mixed with friction agents and adhesives, with a metal content of approximately 30%-50%.
• Advantages in Mountainous Areas:
Metal components conduct heat quickly, dissipating heat quickly and reducing heat accumulation, making them suitable for short, high-frequency braking (such as on winding mountain roads).
The friction coefficient is stable at 0.45-0.5, providing ample braking force. The price is reasonable (400-800 yuan per set), making them suitable for most family sedans and city SUVs.
• Precautions: At low temperatures (<50°C), a slight "metallic grinding" sound may occur. The wear on the brake disc is slightly greater than that on ceramic pads. It is recommended to inspect the brake disc surface for scratches every 5,000 kilometers.
• Material Features: Based on ceramic fiber and mineral fiber, they contain no metal particles. The friction layer is enhanced with high-temperature and wear-resistant materials.
• Advantages in Mountainous Areas:Excellent high-temperature resistance, maintaining stable friction even at temperatures above 800°C with virtually no thermal decay, making them suitable for long descents (such as steep slopes of over 10 kilometers). Extremely wear-resistant, with a service life 1.5-2 times that of semi-metallic brake pads. They also minimize brake disc wear, making them suitable for vehicles frequently used on mountain roads.
Low noise and dust during braking, providing enhanced braking stability on slippery mountain roads (rainy days, muddy roads).
• Suitable for: SUVs, pickup trucks, frequently fully loaded MPVs, or those who drive in mountainous areas at least once or twice a month. While more expensive (800-1500 yuan per set), these brake pads offer enhanced safety and durability.
• Low-quality organic brake pads: Made primarily of resin and asbestos, they are inexpensive (200-300 yuan per set), but have poor heat resistance (degradation occurs at 300°C) and extremely poor wear resistance. After just one or two uses in mountainous areas, they can rub against the metal backing plate, causing brake squeal and failure.
• "General-purpose" low-friction brake pads: These are marked with a friction coefficient of <0.4 and are often found as standard equipment on economy cars. They lack braking power and are completely incapable of stopping on long downhill slopes. They should absolutely not be used in mountainous areas.
• Modified pads that excessively pursue a "high friction coefficient": Competition-grade brake pads with a friction coefficient of >0.6, while powerful, require high temperatures to activate their performance ("poor cold braking") and cause significant wear on the brake discs, making them difficult for ordinary civilian vehicles to control and increasing the risk of accidents.
After selecting the right brake pads, routine maintenance is equally important, especially after mountain driving:
• After each mountain trip: Check the brake pad thickness (if the remaining thickness is <3mm, replace it). Observe the surface for cracks and oil stains (if contaminated with brake fluid, replace it immediately, otherwise it will cause slipping).
• Regular Cleaning: Gravel or sand stuck between the brake pad and the disc can increase wear and noise. Use a high-pressure air gun to clean the gap during maintenance.
• Avoid the misconception of "brake disc rust": In humid mountain environments, brake discs may rust. Don't worry; simply apply the brakes a few times and friction will remove it. Never scrape with hard objects.
When choosing brake pads for mountain roads, the key is to "refuse to compromise"—high-temperature resistance, wear resistance, and an appropriate friction coefficient are essential. For an ordinary family car that occasionally drives on mountain roads, semi-metallic brake padsare sufficient. For frequent mountain trucks or heavy loads, ceramic brake padsare a more reliable choice. Remember, on steep and winding mountain roads, a quality pair of brake pads is your most reliable safety barrier.If you are looking for durable and safe brake pads for your car,welcome visit our website:https://www.evfriction.com. You can call us by +86-13363216781 or email us by jessicabrakes12@gmail.com if you have any problems about brake parts.
