Have you ever been surprised by something suddenly coming in front of your vehicle and had to slam on the brakes? You probably have, and if your brakes stopped you in time, you've probably heaved a massive sigh of relief. If not … you know the con-sequences. Either way, you understand that reliable, predictable brakes are probably the number one safety item on your vehicle.

The Car Care Council - a group dedicated to educating the motoring public about the need to maintain their vehicles - recommends that a car's entire braking system be thoroughly checked once a year or at every 12,000 miles. The inspection should include checking brake lining wear, brake fluid level, rotor thickness, condition of hoses and brake lines and brake warning lights for any signs of problems. Warning signs of brake problems you can detect yourself include brake grabbing, low pedal feel, hard pedal feel, vibration and squealing.

Ensure safe braking with quality replacement parts
"Within the brake system, most of us know that what stops the vehicle is brake pads or brake linings applying pressure against spinning brake rotors or drums," said Jack McGrail, Product Manager, Brake Systems, for Bosch, a leading supplier of brake and other components to original equipment manufacturers (OEM)/vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. "The pads in today's vehicles do most of the braking, and what they are made of and how they are constructed are very important - not all brake pads are created equal."

"Materials, formulas, design and craftsmanship can differ dramatically from one pad to another, and over time, greatly influence how well the vehicle stops. Premium brake pads, such as those available from Bosch, are manufactured from vehicle-specific, specially-formulated friction materials that deliver exceptional stopping power over a long service life," McGrail said.

Depending on the make and model of their vehicles, motorists can select between ceramic or premium technology brake pads. Ceramic pads, which feature tiny flecks of ceramic embedded in the friction material, offer a luxury feel and superior power and are generally preferred by vehicle owners who are looking for the ultimate in smooth, quiet, powerful braking. Bosch premium technology brake pads, on the other hand, are designed for high-hard-working vehicles such as trucks, mini-vans and sports cars and are best suited for aggressive driving styles and towing applications.

And to minimize annoying brake noise, Bosch pads place an exclusive platinum -enhanced underlayer between the friction material and the pad's steel backing plate. (CONTINUE...)