If you have a truck that you use as your daily driving vehicle, then you may be serious about maintaining your automobile as much as possible. This means completing necessary maintenance tasks like changing the brake pads often. Most brake pads need to be changed every 25,000 to 70,000 miles driven. However, if you find that the truck's pads need to be changed more often or if you have trouble braking, then you may need to invest in a different type of brake pads. Keep reading to learn about two options you should consider for your truck.

Ceramic Brake Pads

Ceramic brake pads are made out of ceramic, which means they are constructed out of the same type of material that your kiln-fired plates and pottery dishes are made of. If you use ceramic plates every day, then you know that ceramic is durable. Ceramic brake pads are relatively new when compared to other types of pads. The first ceramic pads were developed in the 1980s to help combat some of the problems with traditional metallic pads. Specifically, the ceramic varieties reduce noise and dust that occur when metallic pads are used. Ceramic brake pads are made with a dozen or more materials to reduce noise, friction, and rotor damage. 

Ceramic brake pads are the best choice for your truck if you work your brakes hard while driving most days. The pads are harder and take longer to wear down than other types of pads. If you commonly use a trailer to haul loads or if you fill your truck bed with items on a daily basis, then you will need some extra stopping power. Ceramic pads can create this power without subjecting your rotors to a great deal of stress.

If you travel in city traffic where your brakes need to be used often or if you travel up and down hills, then ceramic pads are also a good idea. You should know that ceramic pads are more expensive than traditional ones. You are likely to pay around $210 to $280 per axle if you invest in ceramic pads. This means that your total brake pad replacement will cost between $420 and $560. However, the pads are likely to last twice as long or longer than traditional, semi-metallic varieties.

Low-Metallic Pads

If you live in an area that stays warm all year round, then you may be worried about the heat that is created by your brakes on days where temperatures reach 90 or 100 degrees. This is a real concern, because excessive heat can cause some serious issues with your truck. Disc brake systems that include the brake pads and rotors will naturally dispel heat. The pads and rotors are open and exposed to air so that venting can occur. However, if ambient temperatures are high, then the braking system will retain some heat. This heat can be absorbed by your rotors and lead to warping issues. 

If you have to invest in new rotors every time your brake pads are replaced, then this is a sign that high levels of heat are causing rotor damage. Since rotors can cost twice as much as brake pads, you should try to avoid rotor damage as much as possible. Low-metallic pads can help with this by absorbing and moving more heat away from the rotors. The pads contain a small amount of copper or steel and a good amount of rubber or another type of filler material. 

Low-metallic brake pads will typically wear away at the same rate or quicker than traditional metallic pads. This means that you may need to invest in a pad replacement more often, but you will greatly reduce rotor and caliper wear and reduce heat that can build around the brakes, wheels, and undercarriage of your truck. 

Contact a company that sells truck parts for more information.