Performance v. OEM Brakes

What’s The Difference Between Them

Are your brakes starting to feel squishy, or are they making squealing noises? If so, it’s time for brake repair or replacement. When it comes time to change your brake pads, you may be wondering if you should go with performance or OEM brakes. To help you make the best decision for your vehicle, here’s what you should know about performance versus OEM brakes.

Performance Brakes Pros and Cons

Performance brakes are aftermarket brakes that can withstand more vigorous driving styles and conditions than OEM brakes. They offer a variety of benefits to demanding drivers, including:

• Less prone to brake fade when high-performance brake fluid is used
• Much shorter stopping distances
• Composed of various compounds, from aramid fiber to organic
• Provide improved pedal modulation

Despite these benefits, performance brakes aren’t perfect, nor are they ideal for every type of driver. Since they’re made of abrasive compounds, they’ll wear down your brake rotors faster than OEM brakes. They also tend to be noisier and produce more brake dust.

OEM Brakes Pros and Cons

OEM brakes are those that come standard with your vehicle. Since the manufacturer chose those specific brakes for the vehicle, you can rest assured they are fully capable of doing their job well. Here are some of the benefits you’ll get from your OEM brakes:

• Quieter, softer braking
• Less brake dust
• Don’t wear down brake rotors as quickly as aftermarket pads
• Work effectively in both cold and hot temperatures

Of course, OEM brakes aren’t as efficient at stopping vehicles quickly from high speeds as performance brakes. They also tend to wear out quicker than most brake pads made from ceramic. But they work just great for most drivers.

Making the Best Decision for Your Vehicle

If you’re having trouble choosing between performance and OEM brakes, ask yourself a couple of questions. First, does your driving style require you to have greater braking ability than regular brakes provide? Second, are you willing to pay more for the handling benefits performance brakes offer? Your answer to these two questions will help you determine what type of brakes to buy.

Schedule Your Brake Repair

Does your care need brake repair? Schedule your service right away by calling Wow Auto Care in Poway, CA. If you prefer to schedule your appointment online, simply use our online form, and we’ll get in touch with you soon.