What Is Brake Fade, What Causes It & How to Prevent It?

 

Imagine you’re driving your car, and Suddenly!! you see an accident happen in your driveway, So you panic and try to stop your vehicle by braking But you can’t stop your vehicle at a safe distance. It stops but not as quickly as you expected. That was close!!

                                                                                                               Sometimes you may have experienced these situations, we call that a “BRAKE FADE”. In this article, we will discuss What is the Brake Fade? , What are the Causes? , and How to Prevent It?

What Is Brake Fade?

 

Brake fade refers to the reduction of stopping power after repeated, heavy use of a vehicle’s brake. When brake fade occurs, the brake does not respond as effectively as previously, This extends stopping distance and, in severe cases can lead to complete brakes.

What Is the Causes of  Brake Fade?

 

We can divide brake fade causes into three groups: Frictional, mechanical, and fluid fade. Each type has different causes;

 

• A frictional Fade - occurs when the brake pads get too hot from excessive use and lose their ability to grip the brake rotor properly. The heat reduces the friction between the brake pad and brake rotors, leading to decreased brake power.

• Mechanical Fade - This kind of fade happens when the brake components themselves become overheated, possibly causing the brake pads to glaze or the brake rotors to warp.

• Fluid Fade - This happens when the brake fluid boils due to excessive heat in the brake system, Boiling fluid creates air bubbles within the hydraulic system, Which are compressible and reduce the effectiveness of brake fluid in transmitting force.

Brake Fade Offers When

 

Brake fade typically happens when conditions of high stress on the braking system, such as during long braking down a steep grade, or repetitive hard braking during high-speed driving.

In situations like this, the generated heat can exceed the brake system’s ability to scatter, leading to one of the types of brake fade mentioned above.

 

To Prevent Brake Fade You Should

 

To prevent brake fade, there are some strategic practices and maintenance routines,

 

• Use Higher Quality Brake Components - Upgrade to high-performance brake pads and rotors designed to withstand higher temperatures and reduce the risk of fading.

• Keep Proper Ventilation - Make sure your vehicle’s brake system is well-ventilated. Some high-performance cars have cooling ducts to reduce temperature build-up.

• Regular Maintenance - Regularly check and replace worn brake components. Keep an eye on the brake fluid and replace it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, as old fluid is more prone to boiling.

• Driving Technique - Adopt driving techniques that reduce the load on your brakes. For example, use engine brakes, engine brakes means when you are driving down hilly, winding roads, try downshifting to slow down instead of keeping your foot on your brake pedal. And also when driving in traffic you can use your accelerator rather than using brakes.

 

What Helps Prevent Brake Fade?

 

In addition to the above methods, You should understand your vehicle’s limits to avoid pushing brakes beyond their design can prevent brake fade. You can prevent all brake-related problems by regular maintenance. Because the brake system is a crucial component in your vehicle. If you’re having any kind of brake-related problem, Please visit your mechanic or you can book a session with us to find out what kind of problem is going on in your vehicle’s brake system.