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O.E., Semi-Metallic or Ceramic?
When it comes to brakes, Mopar has
what you need.
All brakes are not the
same.
Here are some things to
consider when your vehicle needs brakes. Probably
no vehicle safety feature is taken for granted more
than the brake system. Vehicle owners rightly
expect their brakes to work every time, with
minimal to zero brake-associated noise, vibration
or harshness (NVH). What else is important to
motorists when it comes to brakes? Not
surprisingly, owners of Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge
want long life out of their brake components, and
most don't want to be troubled with cleaning brake
dust off of their wheels.
What types of brakes are
available?
Mopar offers three types of
brake lining compositions for most Chrysler, Jeep
and Dodge vehicles. We'll discuss the attributes of
each. Whatever type of brakes you prefer, it's
important to have the entire brake system inspected
annually.
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O.E. Brake Lining
Designed with an O.E. friction
compound mixture, this non-asbestos organic brake
lining is engineered for O.E. quality performance.
In short, this is the same friction material that
is used in the factory. This compound is more brake
rotor- and drum-friendly than semi-metallic or
ceramic formulations since it's made of a "softer"
composition. However, the service life on the
lining is shorter as a result. Mopar O.E. brake
lining features include:
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Original equipment on Chrysler,
Jeep and Dodge vehicles
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Premium materials provide
optimum performance
Semi-Metallic
Semi-metallic brake linings,
as the name implies, have metallic steel fibres in
the compound. Let's take a look at some of the
features of Mopar's Value Line Semi-Metallic brake
features:
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Authentic Mopar Quality at a
competitive price
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Designed specifically for
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles
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Factory tested to meet
stringent performance standards
Ceramic
Ceramic-based brake linings
have come a long way since their introduction in
the mid-'80s. Over the years, engineers have
developed more durable formulations. As a result,
they have become very popular, particularly in the
aftermarket. Today's ceramic compounds perform
better under high brake temperatures than earlier
1980s and '90s formulations. Ceramic brake
compounds are also noted for less heat-related
fading and a longer service life than earlier
versions.
Even with their premium price, customers like the
reduced NVH benefits ceramic brakes offer, such as
very quiet operation (minimal to non-existent
squealing or grinding noises). Furthermore, ceramic
brake linings don't leave behind the undesirable
"visible" byproduct (black or brown dust residue),
that is often seen on wheels and tires when
non-ceramic brake pad applications are used. Value
Line Ceramic brake features include:
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Ceramic technology and organic
friction materials reduce visible dusting and
virtually eliminate noise
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Computer-designed, angled
chamfers improve contact profile and surface
for smooth, ultra-quiet braking
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Thermally bonded noise
insulators with a five-layer noise dampening
system and rubber-coated insulators absorb more
noise than conventional pads
Mopar Brake Kits
Whether you're a professional
technician or a skilled do-it-yourselfer, getting a
brake job done right is important. To that end,
Mopar now offers complete brake kits that include
everything you need for brake service on most
popular Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. Features
include:
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All necessary brake hardware
included for a quality job
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All-new components provide
optimum durability and performance
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Reduces brake service
time
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Eliminates the need to machine
worn rotors
A Word About Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is the lifeblood of automotive braking
systems. Make sure to check the brake fluid level,
or have it checked regularly. When brake fluid
falls below the factory recommended level, use
Mopar brake fluid for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge
vehicles*. When filling the reservoir, keep the
reservoir covered except for the time you need to
top the fluid off, and never leave a can of brake
fluid uncovered. Brake fluid must maintain a very
high boiling point, and exposure to air allows the
fluid to absorb moisture, which lowers the boiling
point.
Brake fluid level will drop slightly as brake pads
wear. This is normal. If you notice a sudden drop
in brake fluid, however, have your brakes inspected
immediately.
*Refer to the owner's manual for the correct brake
fluid recommendation. Some vehicles require Mopar
DOT 4, Part No. 04549625AC, others require Mopar
DOT 3, Part No. 04318080AB.
Courtesy of Mopar Magazine
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