Are OEM Subaru Brake Pads Better Than Aftermarket?
On most modern vehicles, brake pads provide consistent and smooth braking for 25k to 50k miles before they need replacement. You probably know the brake pad is an essential safety component of your vehicle. But, when it comes time to change them out, you may be thinking about whether aftermarket pads or OEM pads are the right choice for your Subaru. Read on to learn some of the pros and cons of OEM versus aftermarket pads...and why OEM is almost always the better choice.
Brake Pad Design and Makeup
There are many considerations that OEM engineers go through when selecting brake pad material for a new vehicle. Most modern brake pads are composed of either ceramic or semi-metallic friction material. Each material offers benefits and drawbacks. The materials used to construct the pads are one of several factors that OEM equipment manufacturers consider when producing brake pads. Others include brake pad operating temperatures, the vehicle's weight, the rotors' size, how the car will be driven, and the amount of brake dust produced by the brake pad.
Subaru engineers work closely with brake manufacturers to ensure their designs are properly manufactured to their exact specifications. When you buy OEM pads, you know you are getting the exact pads the engineers designed for your car. You can be sure they will:
- Fit perfectly
- Be responsive
- Last a long time
- Install easily
The biggest factor to consider when selecting brake pads is that they match what your Subaru left the factory with. This will guarantee proper fit and function withour modification.
Aftermarket Fitment
On the other hand, most aftermarket companies work with a vehicle after it's in production, and they're finally able to get their hands on new models to test. This means that aftermarket companies are often a step or two behind OEM manufacturers. They don't have access to all the testing data that the OEM used to design the pads. Additionally, the OEM is not concerned with how much money they make on a set of brake pads. They simply design them to work as well as possible, and the cost is mostly irrelevant. OEMs earn a profit on the whole car. But, an aftermarket manufacturer needs to make a profit on every set of pads. The incentive is there to cut corners when making the pads utilizing this reverse-engineering process.
When it comes to your safety, we always recommend using OEM parts. It just doesn't make sense to risk your safety or health to save a few dollars. At Subaru Parts Plus, we want to help keep your Subaru on the road as best we can! As part of a long-standing Subaru dealer in the U.S., our team of Subie experts is here to help get you the right brake pads or whatever your vehicle may need. Subaru's manufacturer warranty backs all our OEM parts. You can contact us here or give us a call at 1-888-294-4979.
To shop the many brake pads offerings we have at Subaru Parts Plus, click here.