Light commercial vehicles often operate day and night, transporting goods from location to location. As a result, their brake pads are exposed to high weight masses and constant stress due to this heavy usage. This often leads to high levels of wear and tear, resulting in frequent replacement and a decreased service life.

Parts specialist MEYLE has closely analysed this problem from the user view point and created a unique cost saving solution. 

In the past, the aftermarkets resorted to normal brake pad compounds which were unable to meet the high demands on braking performance, heavy loads and mileage at the same time. This is also an issue that is not going away as online shopping increases the delivery fleet in Ireland. 

For light commercial vehicles to fulfil their intensive tasks reliably and, above all, safely, using the right pads is a vital part. MEYLE experts say that there are several key factors to look out for:

1.Precise fit: The brake compound must be designed to fit the vehicle perfectly. The matching of the friction partner of the brake disc is one of the most important parts in this process.

2.The right materials:  To significantly increase the service life of brake pads, MEYLE has developed a special friction compound that is optimised against rapid wear. It wears off more slowly, resulting in a longer service life and extended time between pad changes. This not only allows vans  to withstand the tough conditions of delivery and commercial use.

3.Legal requirements: To meet the requirements of global regulations that reduce or completely ban residual amounts of copper, heavy metal and asbestos in brake pads, the compounds should be free of both copper and heavy metals.

4.Quality control: The quality of brake pads should be taken into consideration right from the beginning: the development stage. The right material, workmanship, accuracy of fit and durability are just three of the aspects that should be considered. 

5.Constant monitoring: In order to ensure the quality of a product, the entire development and manufacturing process should be monitored constantly.

In conclusion, with light commercial vehicles in particular, it is important to ensure that the brake pads are made from high-quality materials and fit perfectly, not only to extend the time between service intervals, but also to allow the vehicle to be used for longer without expensive downtime.

MEYLE offers a complete range of brake pads and component specially tuned to the needs of Ireland’s light commercial vehicle fleet. These are available from MEYLE stockists nationwide.