Even if you have a car that is in perfect condition, there are two major parts which are going to be replaced from time to time. The first is tires, of course. The second part of your car that is going to need to be replaced on occasion is the brakes. No matter how well kept your car is, there is going to be a time when your brakes need to be fixed. It is important to be aware of some of the different brake options which are available for you to choose from. Some of the different types of brakes that you may want to consider include drum brakes, disc brakes, and air brakes. The kind of brakes chosen will generally be governed by the make and model of the vehicle you own.

Drum Brake
This type of brake works by using oil pressure. The pressure causes the rod to move, which then leads to the brake shoes squeezing. Friction on a rotating drum, which is attached to the wheel, will stop the car. One of the biggest problems with drum brakes is that they need to be replaced more frequently than other types of brakes. Some older vehicles have been designed with them built-in, however. The main benefit of drum brakes is that they are known to provide an effective halt at a very quick speed. This does not necessarily mean that they are the best option for your car, however.

Disc Brake
Disc brakes are designed using flat pieces of metal or other strong materials. The brake rotor applies spins with the wheel or axle. When you put your foot on the brake, brake pads on both sides will squeeze the brake disc, causing friction to stop or slow the wheel’s movement. Cars, motorcycles, and bikes are all commonly designed with this type of brake. The advantages that disc brakes have over drum brakes is that they dissipate heat better, provide more friction, are self cleaning, and are also known to tolerate water better. Note that it is not a good idea to purposely try to drive through or brake in water because it can lead to hydroplaning.

Air Brake
As you can probably guess, air brakes work through air pressure. The design also uses a disc or drum brake to function. This is the least common type of brake that is used. Air brakes are generally only used for trucks or other large vehicles, such as trains. It is very rare for most vehicles to require air brakes, however. This means that there is a strong possibility that this is not the type of brake that you are going to end up purchasing for your car.

The two most popular brake options are disc and drum brakes. Disc brakes are overwhelmingly more popular, however. While drum brakes can be a great choice for those who need a brake, it is important to remember that it is much more common for them to need replacing. While some trucks may be built with air brakes, this is an option which is becoming less popular as the years go by.