This is the first car I've been putting extensive time into mods and maintenance so I'm still a complete noob at a lot of things on cars.

Its almost time to work on the brakes and I just wanted to know if there is anyway to tell what kind a rotor or pads I have. I bought my base 04 TL used but the front rotors are slotted. Maybe the pads are not oem either. I've read that you should get matching pads for motors etc. It would be nice to know.

 

Maybe something stamped on the rotor hub and/or printed on the back side of the pads.

 

I think the only way to tell is to actually remove the brake pad, as usually the brand is etched into the back of the bracket.

Unless the rotors are some off-brand junk, I think you should be good to go with pretty much any pad you like this side of a racing pad. You wouldn't want a racing pad anyways, since many of those have terrible initial bite. (Initial bite being the first application of the brakes before they warm up)

Currently on our TL, I'm running Akebono ProACT Ceramics. They seem to have the same stopping power as the OEM pads, but put off much less brake dust.