Wagner® PPV: Extreme Testing for Extreme Brake Pads

Engineered for Extreme Conditions

From high-speed pursuits to performing precision maneuvers, police vehicles operate in extreme conditions and need a brake pad that delivers when the heat is on. Wagner® Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) brake pads resist high heat and reduce wear to deliver quiet, powerful performance and long life. These durable brake pads are designed to handle the extreme heat that comes with extreme use.

Testing for Performance

To ensure that Wagner PPV pads could handle the challenging conditions that police vehicles encounter daily, Wagner engineers extensively tested PPV brake pads before putting them into the field. This testing included for each development material nearly 15,000 stops or brake applications on vehicle or dynamometer tests to simulate the driving and maneuvers that police vehicles experience. The result of this testing? A brake pad that can handle temperatures up to 1,000°F and strikes the right balance between performance and noise reduction. 

Pomona Dynamometer Testing

The famed Pomona Raceway has long been a proving ground for vehicles to show their capabilities. Replicating the conditions of this storied track is common in the industry and was the perfect way to make sure Wagner PPV brake pads delivered a high-level of handling and optimum performance in pursuit situations.

• Handling – 96 stops, temperatures between 392°-1382°F, peaks up to 1832°F. High speed (80-100mph) and pressure.
• Pursuit – 56 stops, temperatures between 212°-1022°F. Typical speed (40-55mph) and pressure.

Results: While there was a high amount of wear for both pads and rotors, both made it through the test. Non-asbestos organic pads rarely, if ever, finish the test.

FM115 Dynamometer Testing

Wagner knows that quiet stops are essential, so testing for noise, vibration and harshness was a big part of the testing protocol which includes about 2,300 stops and temperatures up to 1112°F.

• AK Master (SAE J2522) – Various performance sections test pads under extreme conditions: green, speed/pressure sensitivity, FMVSS In-op power, cold, motorway effectiveness and fade.
• SAE J2521 – Brake squeal/noise test procedure for about 900 stops duration including various speeds, pressures and temperatures.

FM194 Dynamometer Testing

Wagner replicated wear conditions from Los Angeles traffic including 4,000 stops and temperatures up to 572°F.

Dodge Charger Vehicle Testing

• FMVSS135 – Federal maximum stopping distance test including 68 stops for strictly pass/fail criteria.
• VT300 – Wear and NVH test following a route around Detroit metro accumulating 2K miles and 8K brake applications. Noise and wear are recorded.

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The content in this article is for informational purposes only. You should consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have questions relating to any of the topics covered herein. Tenneco will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.