Are OEM Nissan Brake Pads Better Than Aftermarket?
Your Nissan's brake pads play a huge role in stopping your car. When your brake pads wear down, you need to replace them ASAP. Before you can replace them, though, you have a decision to make. Should you get OEM brake pads, or are aftermarket brake pads fine to use?
We'll help you reach an informed decision with this comparison guide.
What To Look For In Replacement Brake Pads
The most important factors to look for when shopping for brake pads are:
- Safety
- Longevity
- Price
Without functioning brake pads, your Nissan can't stop. That's why it's important to find a set of replacement pads that will always provide reliable performance.
You also want brake pads to last a long time. Low quality replacement pads will need replacing more often than usual. The costs add up over time. When shopping for brake pads, consider the upfront costs and the long-term costs.
When you take all three factors into consideration, it's clear that OEM brake pads are superior to aftermarket brake pads.
In order for your braking system to work right, it must rely on a functioning set of brake pads. You should never try to cut corners when purchasing safety related replacement parts for your car. Your Nissan relies on factory-installed equipment to operate safely. Aftermarket components aren't always going to function well with your car or truck. That's why OEM Nissan brake pads are the best choice out there.
OEM Brake Pads Are More Durable Than Aftermarket Brake Pads
Nissan made your OEM brake pads for your car's braking system. They're much more likely to provide a safe stop than aftermarket pads. Aftermarket pads are likely to:
- Come with universal fitment
- Be made with off-brand materials
- Be made with inferior construction methods
Aftermarket brake pads are notorious for not being as good at stopping a vehicle. Most (if not all) aftermarket brake pads are made of different materials than OEM pads. The materials are usually lower quality. For this reason, aftermarket brake pads wear down much faster.
Your brake pads' durability also has a lot to do with the manufacturing processes. In short, OEM brake pads are tested extensively before deemed fit for use in your Nissan. Aftermarket pads rarely undergo extensive testing. That's one of the reasons why they're so cheap. That means durability isn't guaranteed with aftermarket brake pads. You may save a few dollars at the cash register. Yet, you may end up paying more money on replacement brake pads down the road.
OEM Brake Pads Fit Much Better Than Aftermarket Brake Pads
Your Nissan has a specific braking system that relies on OEM brake pads to operate safely and effectively.
Nissan engineers and research departments develop OEM Nissan brake pads. OEM pads were engineered for your Nissan model, which guarantees perfect fitment. OEM brake pads:
- Have the right dimensions for the metal backing plate. They'll fit into your calipers without any issues.
- Have the right thickness. When your calipers press the brake pads against the rotors, they'll grab onto the rotors with the correct amount of pressure.
Aftermarket brake pads may not have the exact same dimensions as OEM Nissan brake pads. That's because they weren't made specifically for your vehicle. When you install poor-fitting aftermarket brake pads on your vehicle, they won't be as effective in stopping your car.
OEM Brake Pads Always Have The Right Friction Material For Your Rotors
Image Credit: NissanClub
Your brake pads are only effective when they're able to grab onto your rotors. If the friction material on your brake pads isn't compatible with your OEM rotors, you'll experience poor braking performance. You don't have to worry about this with OEM Nissan brake pads. It's because they come with the correct friction material for your vehicle's original rotors.
OEM Brake Pads May Cost Less In The Long Run
Aftermarket brake pads are usually cheaper than their OEM counterparts. Yet, a lower upfront cost doesn't necessarily mean that the pads will be cheaper in the long run, too.
Aftermarket brake pads don't last as long as OEM ones, so you might end up having to buy them more often. These costs add up over time. This can quickly negate the initial cost savings that come from choosing aftermarket parts.
Not to mention, aftermarket brake pads are much more likely to fail. This may lead to high repair bills. For example, your aftermarket brake pads may wear down fast and damage the rotors. So you would have to replace your rotors along with your brake pads. Speaking of rotors, this comparison guide outlines all the reasons why you should get OEM rotors instead of aftermarket ones.
Get Your OEM Brake Pads From NissanPartsPlus.com
Your Nissan is an investment that deserves only the best replacement parts. That means OEM parts, including brake pads.
If you don't have a lot of money to spend on new brake pads, you don't have to settle on aftermarket brake pads. You can save a lot of money by ordering OEM brake pads from us.
At NissanPartsPlus.com, we offer wholesale prices for genuine OEM Nissan parts, including brake pads. Do a search on your Nissan model in the left column on this page to get the right brake pads for your vehicle.