By 2025 all brake manufacturers in the United States must eliminate copper from their friction formulations in order to meet the California and Washington Proposition 65 regulations. The legislation was enacted in 2010 due to claims by environmental regulators that as brake pads wear down, copper and other materials are deposited on roadways and in parking lots and then washed into streams and rivers. Too much copper in the water may damage marine and freshwater organisms such as fish and mollusks. On the way to the 2025 rule the legislation requires brake manufacturers to switch their formulations to low-copper. By 2021 copper content in friction must not exceed 5%. Many friction manufacturers have been forced to start developing new formulations and test a number of different materials to match the characteristics of copper in order to meet the 2021 and 2025 deadline.
01. Best Overall: Brake Pads 2006-2018 RAV4
Key Features: Brake Pads, 4Pcs Premium Ceramic Rear Disc Brake Pads Compatible for 2009-2013 Matrix, 2006-2018 RAV4
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4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
- [Premium Ceramic Material] – CHEINAUTO brake pads made by high temperature resistant ceramic materials and organic formulations ensure optimal braking performance for vehicles under extreme heat, frequent stopping, and heavy loads, provide safety, and reliability for various vehicle applications, reduce dust effectively, and has great rust corrosion resistance properties
- [Slotting & Chamfers Design] – Slotting design provides efficient heat dissipation, Increases friction, better ventilation, improves drainage, ensure exceptional stopping power and quiet operation; Chamfers are designed to fit perfectly brake rotors with brake pads. No damages for brake rotors and no unsettling noise when you apply the brake
- [Low Dust & Durable Brake Pads] – The High-Performance ceramic materials offer a higher coefficient of friction over normal brake pads and can provide you 20% more stopping power and higher resistance to brake fade than most standard replacement brake pads, that means you’ll have a highly durable brake pad with less brake dust
- [Ideal Replacement Brake Pads] – Premium ceramic and multilayer composites materials, back steel perfectly fit braking system, effectively reduce noise and vibration during braking. CHEINAUTO provides 12 month warranty including refund & replacement without returning, as well as friendly after-sales service as always
02. Best Runner Up: Bosch BE862 Blue Disc Brake Pad Set – FRONT
Key Features: Bosch BE862 Blue Disc Brake Pad Set – FRONT
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4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
- Advanced, platform specific Ceramic friction material formulation for optimal performance
- Superior noise dampening provided by OE-style multi-layer shims
- Rust inhibitive coating prevents rust
- Slots and chamfers match OE design for quick and easy installation
- Set includes pads for 1 axle (2 wheels) and synthetic lubricant for reduced resistance on sliding contact points; pads come wrapped in a protective blue shop towel within the box; hardware not included
- FRONT: Compatible with select 2001-05 Toyota RAV4 vehicles (verify specific fitment details with AmazonConfirmedFit fit checker above)
03. Best 2nd Runner Up: Premium Raybestos Toyota Rav4
Key Features: Premium Raybestos Element3 EHT™ Replacement Front Brake Pad Set for Select Toyota Corolla/Matrix/Prius/Rav4 and Scion xB/xD Model Years (EHT1210H)
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4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
- SUPER PREMIUM GRADE: Raybestos Element3 Brake Pads combine the best attributes of both ceramic and semi-metallic all in one brake pad
- SUPERIOR BRAKING POWER: Enhanced hybrid technology provides increased stopping power during aggressive braking along with improved pad wear and durability
- QUIET STOPPING: Five layered shims with electronic wear sensors promote quiet stopping in a wide variety of temperature ranges
- RIGOROUSLY TESTED: More than one million miles of on-road testing showed 20 to 25 percent improved stopping power, reduced noise and 35 percent wear reduction
- VEHICLE APPLICATIONS – 2006-2018 Toyota RAV4
04. Best 3rd Runner Up: BOSCH RAV4 FRONT
Key Features: BOSCH BP1210 QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Pad Set – Compatible With Select Lexus HS250h; Pontiac Vibe; Scion xB, xD; Toyota Corolla, Matrix, Prius V, RAV4; FRONT
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4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
- The Bosch QuietCast line draws on over 77 years of OE braking excellence; promising the highest quality performance, industry-leading strength and durability, and exclusive innovations including Molded Shim Technology (MST)
- The industry’s best pre-attached OE style multilayer rubber core shims ensure the highest quality bond between rubber and steel, resulting in lower noise, increased strength, and corrosion resistance
- Rigorously formulated and tested by Bosch’s engineers, the Semi-Metallic friction material in the QuietCast line is meticulously engineered to achieve superior performance, exceptional stopping power, and quiet operation with low dust
- Powder-coated backing plate prevents rust and corrosion for increased product life of the brake pad; Slots and chamfers ensure premium quality, fit, and function
- Set includes pads for 1 axle (2 wheels), hardware kit (where available), and synthetic lubricant for reduced resistance on sliding contact points
05. Editor’s Pick: Wagner Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
Key Features: Wagner Brake QuickStop ZD1212 Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
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4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
- RESTORES LIKE-NEW BRAKING PERFORMANCE — OE fit and form design delivers consistent, even braking throughout the life of the brake pad
- REDUCED VIBRATION — Application-specific design reduces noise-causing vibration
- EVEN PERFORMANCE — Engineered for consistent braking throughout the life of the pad
- APPLICATION-SPECIFIC MATERIALS – Formulated to meet the unique needs of each vehicle application
- HARDWARE INCLUDED – Premium stainless-steel hardware and OE-style lubricant included in most applications
- COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE — Brake pads available for all vehicle types
- ZERO COPPER FORMULATION — Features Wagner OE25 zero-copper friction formulation
06. Best Recommended: Power Stop Front KOE258 Stock Replacement Brake Pad and Rotor Kit Autospecialty
Key Features: Power Stop Front KOE258 Stock Replacement Brake Pad and Rotor Kit Autospecialty
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4.3 out of 5 Star Rating
- Components are designed to match the OE performance of your brakes
- Z17 Evolution ceramic brake pad formula keeps your wheels dust free, and the multi-layer rubberized shims provide virtually noise free braking
- Rotors use G3000 castings and are 100 percent mill balanced for stock performance and safety
- Includes all hardware necessary for a complete installation
- CONFIRM FITMENT with the Product Description below!
- Nominal Rotor Thickness: 25mm (1″).Minimum Rotor Thickness: 22mm (0.9″)
07. Best for Budget: Wagner Brake
Key Features: Wagner Brake QuickStop ZD1211 Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
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4.4 out of 5 Star Rating
- RESTORES LIKE-NEW BRAKING PERFORMANCE — OE fit and form design delivers consistent, even braking throughout the life of the brake pad
- REDUCED VIBRATION — Application-specific design reduces noise-causing vibration
- EVEN PERFORMANCE — Engineered for consistent braking throughout the life of the pad
- APPLICATION-SPECIFIC MATERIALS – Formulated to meet the unique needs of each vehicle application
- HARDWARE INCLUDED – Premium stainless-steel hardware and OE-style lubricant included in most applications
- COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE — Brake pads available for all vehicle types
- ZERO COPPER FORMULATION — Features Wagner OE25 zero-copper friction formulation
08. Bendix Premium Copper Free Ceramic Brake Pad
Key Features: Bendix CFC1211 Premium Copper Free Ceramic Brake Pad (with Installation Hardware Front)
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4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
- Vehicle tested to ensure performance that meets or exceeds industry standards
- OE designed 4-layer premium noise-eliminating shim
- 100% copper-free vehicle specific formulas
- Comprehensive coverage for late model vehicles
- Includes hardware, brake lubricant and hangtag
By 2025 all brake manufacturers in the United States must eliminate copper from their friction formulations in order to meet the California and Washington Proposition 65 regulations. The legislation was enacted in 2010 due to claims by environmental regulators that as brake pads wear down, copper and other materials are deposited on roadways and in parking lots and then washed into streams and rivers. Too much copper in the water may damage marine and freshwater organisms such as fish and mollusks. On the way to the 2025 rule the legislation requires brake manufacturers to switch their formulations to low-copper. By 2021 copper content in friction must not exceed 5%. Many friction manufacturers have been forced to start developing new formulations and test a number of different materials to match the characteristics of copper in order to meet the 2021 and 2025 deadline.
09. Power Stop Rear
Key Features: Power Stop Rear 17-1212 Ceramic Brake Pads Evolution Z17
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4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
- Low dust formula ceramic brake pads designed to keep those wheels clean
- The Z17 Ceramic brake pad surfaces are thermal scorched for a fast break-in
- Chamfered and slotted like OE pad to ensure noise-free braking
- Includes premium stainless-steel hardware for hassle free installation
- CONFIRM FITMENT with the Product Description below!
- Fade-Free breaking performance while keeping your wheels cleaner
Z17 Evolution Plus Brake Pads with Hardware
The Z17 Evolution Ceramic brake pad and hardware kit is the affordable stock replacement for your daily driven vehicle. If you’re looking to refresh the look and braking performance of your old, worn-out brakes, look no further. Say hello to a smooth, quiet commute with Z17 Evolution Ceramic brake pads.
Low Dust
The Ceramic pads’ low dust formula is validated through on-vehicle 3rd party tests in the USA to keep your wheels looking like new.
Noise-Free
The pads also feature dual layer high temperature rubberized shims that insulate noise for virtually silent braking.
10. Akebono-ACT1212A
Key Features: Akebono-ACT1212A Ultra-Premium Ceramic Rear Disc Brake Pads
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4. out of 5 Star Rating
- Made by the largest ceramic brake pad manufacturer in the world with more than 80 years of brake design expertise
- Ultra-low dusting for cleaner wheels and tires
- Increased pad and rotor life
- Definitive control of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH)
The Akebono ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic brake pad will restore or enhance Domestic and Asian OEM vehicle braking performance – delivering ultimate solutions for noise, vibration, harshness, dust and pedal pulsation. Akebono is the largest supplier of original equipment pads and the Number 1 choice of automakers in North America.
Conclusion:
When choosing your brake pads and shoes, it’s crucial that you consider the importance of both their functionality and durability. A variety of quality and reliable brake pads and shoes. GM Genuine Parts OE Brake Pads are specifically designed to work with GM vehicle safety systems, such as electronic traction control and anti-lock brakes. If you are looking for a high-quality alternative to OE parts, Brake Pads are also a great choice. Ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic formulas provide safety and reliability for a range of vehicle applications. Searching for a quality, high value option.
Brake Maintenance Tips
The following inspections and maintenance procedures can help prevent potential brake problems:
- Check brake fluid level at every oil change. Replace fluid according to vehicle Owner’s Manual recommendations.
- Calipers and wheel cylinders should be checked at every brake inspection and serviced or replaced as required
- Inspect the brake lines for rust, punctures, or visible leaks. (You may be able to do this, but consult a qualified technician if necessary.)
- Check the thickness of your brake pads
The following should be conducted by a qualified technician:
- Inspection of the brake hoses for brittleness or cracking
- Inspection of brake lining and pads for wear or contamination by brake fluid or grease
- Inspection of wheel bearings and grease seals
- Parking brake adjustments (as needed)
