When it’s time to service the brakes and a change of brake pads are required, you might be told that the front brake pads are done, but the rears will be fine. It’s a rule of thumb that since the rear brakes do less work than the front, the pads will last twice as long.


In modern cars and vehicles, this is no longer the case. with the advent of traction control, stability programs and electronic brake force distribution systems found in today’s new cars, the rear brakes are given a work out just as much as the fronts, often without us realizing it.

Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is a system that is now found on most modern cars with high safety ratings. EBD works by varying brake pressure between front and rear wheels, depending on speed, road conditions and how hard the driver is braking. It works alongside standard anti-lock braking systems for peace of mind.


Often, EBD uses the rear brakes to stop the car from diving under initial brake application. This prevents excessive weight transfer to the front, allowing for more stable handling, and a better ride for the car’s occupants.

In rear wheel drive cars, clever traction and stability programs are used in place of a limited slip differential, by braking the inside or outside rear wheels to improve handling and traction. Stability control programs also brake the inside rear wheels to prevent understeer in emergency situations.


Automatic hill descent features are now mostly standard in modern 4x4 vehicles or SUVs. The hill descent program individually brakes each wheel while the vehicle goes down a steep slope, without input from the driver. Front and rear brakes are independently used to maintain a specified speed going downhill in slippery off road conditions. This also results in rear brake pads to wear out sooner than expected.

Bendix brakes are suited to modern car technology that continuously improves to meet ever stricter safety regulations. Combined they offer exceptional on-road safety. Make sure to check your rear brake pads, calipers and rotors as well at your next service, and ask your mechanic for Bendix brakes.


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