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It is hard to predict how often Mercedes brakes will need to be replaced. It has a lot to do with driving habits. Some models can wear out in as little as 10,000 miles while others will last many times over that. Overall though, rear brake pads tend to last longer than front pads do. This is because the front brakes do most of the work.

Mercedes Brake Maintenance
The best thing to do is check the brakes on your Mercedes regularly. This is pretty easy to do. What you want to look at is the thickness of your brake pads. Using a small flashlight is a great, uncomplicated way to do this.

Whenever replacing the brake pads on your Mercedes, you should always consult your Mercedes Benz repair manual. It is similar to the procedure youd follow for any other car, but it doesnt hurt to double check. Also, using OEM materials is the best way to be sure of compatibility and quality.

As far as rotors go, they all should be stamped with the minimum thickness allowed. Dont wait for that thickness to be met. These brake discs usually last about 50,000 miles or so. So if youve reached that point and you need new pads anyway, you might as well order both discs and pads at the same time. No matter what, remember that consulting your manual and a professional is always a good idea if you have any questions.

The first place to consult when changing Mitsubishi brakes is the manual that came with your car. These manuals will tell you all you need to know about where to locate parts on your car and the basics of how to maintain them. If you need additional information you can always look at other service manuals.

Mitsubishi Brake Repair Manuals
One of the leading car care manuals on the market is the Chilton guide. Chilton has designed a car repair manual for the most popular car makes including Mitsubishi, Acura, Mazda, Volkswagen and BMW. They offer do-it-yourself advice on all levels of car maintenance.

If you decide to buy a Chilton guide you need to know the make, model and year of your car. These details will determine which guide you should buy. Some manuals are broken down by model and year, while others will cover all makes and models within the same manual. If no specification is designated on the cover, most models are probably covered.

Within the Chilton manual you can find sections on brake systems, engines and air bags as well as a variety of other systems. Detailed and easy to follow directions show you how to handle basic repairs and installations. Of course, Chilton manuals are not the only manuals on the market that supply this information. Haynes is another popular manual to use for Mitsubishi repairs. You can find these and other books on car repair at both auto supply stores and online stores.

When buying Nissan brakes, car owners need to make a choice between OE brakes and aftermarket brakes found at many auto part supply stores. Making that choice isnt always easy. There are a lot of factors that go into it, including price and quality.

Nissan Brakes–OE and Aftermarket Options
If price is no option and quality is your top priority, you may want to go with OE brakes. OE, or original equipment brakes, are what your Nissan was designed to use. You dont have to worry about compatibility. These breaks may be semi-metallic brakes that offer good stopping power but can sometimes be noisy, or the more superior ceramic breaks which are considerably quieter. It really depends on the model of the car. The trade off with buying OE brakes is that they can be expensive.

Of course, you dont have to use OE brakes on your Nissan. It is completely acceptable to buy aftermarket brakes. If you decide to do this, you may want to stick at least to the material previously used. For instance, if your Nissan Maxima is factory equipped with ceramic brakes, you probably dont want to use semi-metallic replacement brakes.

You can use either aftermarket or original equipment manufactured ceramic brakes. One of the benefits of using such materials on your Nissan is that it can cut down on the squeal commonly found with Nissan brakes. You can purchase replacement brakes online, from your Nissan dealer or from an auto supply store.

If you are looking for high performance brake rotors, you may want to consider buying cross-drilled or slotted rotors. There are several brands that offer these types of rotors, many of which begin with the same high quality Brembo brake rotor blanks. Both cross-drilled and slotted rotors are designed to upgrade your current brake system and improve braking capabilities.

Cross-Drilled and Slotted High Performance Brakes
One of the problems with friction is that heat is generated. This heat can produce gases that form a layer between the brake pads and the rotors, actually keeping them apart. Brake fade is inevitable in these circumstances. The way to get around this is to give the gases a place to escape to. Cross drilling increases the air surface on the rotors. This allows them to dissipate heat and gases in a more efficient way. They also offer superior performance in wet weather conditions.

Another high performance brake rotor option is slotted rotors. While cross-drilled rotors offer better cooling and are generally lighter, slotted rotors are less prone to cracks, as slots do not compromise the structural integrity of the rotors. Slotted rotors have multiple shallow slots along their surface for heat and gases to escape. They are very popular for both racing and street use due to their high durability.

With both cross-drilling and slotted rotors, position is everything. Holes are not drilled in random patterns, but are instead placed with a specific purpose in mind. Slots are designed to take into account the direction of rotation. For this reason, these rotors are side-specific, with left and ride side rotors, and should be purchased in pairs.

If you choose the right manufacturer, it is possible to actually improve the performance of your brakes. You can stop annoying squeaking noises, eliminate brake dust and improve stopping capabilities at high speeds, all by making one simple change. But to do all this, you need to know what type of brakes you are looking for.

What Type of Performance Are You Looking For?
OE brakes, or Original Equipment, are premium brakes. They are usually made of organic or semi-metallic materials. They offer good stopping power with low amounts of dust and noise. These brakes are fine for regular street driving, but they are not ideal for stopping at high speeds or taking sharp turns. In other words, you wont win any races with them.

Performance brakes are a step up from premium brakes. As such, they improve on the capabilities of premium brakes. You get better stopping power and improved resistance to fade. Performance brakes are the perfect match for performance tires. They are also ideal for the weekend auto-racing enthusiast or if you tow heavy loads with your pickup or SUV.

If you are looking for top of the line, then autocross brakes are what you want. These high performance brakes can withstand high heat levels and resist fade. They also provide optimum stopping power and are ideal for repetitive high-speed stops.

Each brake type gives a different performance. With each of these performance levels come different flaws. For instance, the better the stopping power, the louder the noise and dust. Also, increased pedal pressure will be required. It is also important to note that performance and autocross brakes can be significantly more expensive than OE parts.