Genuine Ford & Motorcraft parts mean quality and safety

Meets "OE Specifications" does not mean its "Safe"

©2010 special supplement to Wholesale Insider

It's not uncommon for aftermarket parts makers to boldly proclaim in their advertisements, websites, and packaging, that their "XYZ replacement part meets all OE Specifications". It sounds really impressive but what does "meets OE Specifications" really mean?

You'd be surprised to learn in the world of replacement brake pads, that "meets OE Specifications" has nothing to do with SAFETY TESTING! It actually only means it "fits" the original equipment calipers.

Consider a popular replacement brake pad, whom for legal reasons must remain unnamed: When you search for safety information on their website, you find the following quote: "No Federal performance standards for aftermarket brake pads currently exist. But we strive to exceed the Federal standards (FMVSS 105 and 135) set for OE on all of our brake pads." This information is quite common to that found on many replacement brake pad manufacturer sites. So let's examine it in detail.

While its absolutely true there is no Federal Standard for aftermarket brake pad stopping performance, there is a standard stopping performance for new OE brake pads. So its not out of the realm of reasonable expectation that the replacement pads should stop just a good as the original OE ones. And in fact, isn't that the whole purpose of brakes, to stop the car as good as it did from the factory? The other point is their efforts to "strive" to exceed the Federal standards for OE. It certainly is encouraging that they "strive" to meet the standards, but wouldn't it be a lot more encouraging to actually know for certain they meet the standards? I don't know of any driver who really wants to be the victim, I mean volunteer, for a real life emergency situation brake test to see whether their replacement pads meet the Federal tests or not! Fortunately, Ford gets it! They understand the safety concerns regarding brakes and with the Motorcraft value line brake pads, offer a pad that fully meets or exceeds the same NEW VEHICLE Federal Safety standards, commonly known as the FMVSS standards.

They duplicate the new vehicle testing to ensure the replacements perform as good or better than the OE pads. As a result, the Motorcraft pads offers true value without any safety compromises. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT STOPPING POWER AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE! No aftermarket replacement brake pads stop your Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicle like Motorcraft® brake pads; the only aftermarket replacement brake pads designed, engineered and recommended by Ford Motor Company. Motorcraft® brake pads are tested to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; the exact same stopping distance standards that all new vehicles must meet. When you combine Motorcraft® brake pads and shoes with mill2balanced Motorcraft® rotors and drums you get the safe stopping performance you demand, as well as smooth, precise, brake engagement, and reduced noise. DON'T BE FOOLED: Many aftermarket providers say they "meet the Original Equipment (OE) specs" but that refers only to part fit and design, not safety testing. There is no safety compromise with Motorcraft ® brake pads.