Your brakes are your best friend when it comes to vehicle safety.
But when you work them too hard with prolonged braking or aggressive driving, they may struggle to provide enough power.
Sound familiar?
Then you’re likely experiencing brake fade — a dangerous loss of braking power due to overheating. You’ll need to address this problem ASAP to prevent an accident.
Luckily, we’ll help you avoid any trouble by explaining the different types of brake fade, their causes, and what you can do to prevent your brakes from failing.
This Article Contains:
- What Is Brake Fade?
- What Causes Brake Fade?
- 4 Different Types of Brake Fade
- What Should You Do When You Experience a Brake Fade?
- What Are Some Common Brake Fade Symptoms?
- How Long Does It Take for Overheated Brakes to Cool Down?
- 5 Useful Tips to Help You Prevent Brake Fade
What Is Brake Fade?
Brake fade is a temporary reduction in (or loss of) braking power. It happens when braking components like pads, discs, or fluid overheat and wear, preventing the system from generating enough friction to slow down your vehicle.
Unlike brake failure, where your brakes stop working entirely, your braking force may return to normal as the temperature reduces.
However, even a temporary reduction in braking effectiveness is a severe safety hazard due to the increased stopping time or distance.
Keen to discover the reasons this occurs?
We’ve covered the causes below.
What Causes Brake Fade?
Normal brake temperatures usually fall below 400°F, but in extreme cases, they can reach around 700°F. As the temperature crosses this threshold, you’ll start experiencing brake fade.
This loss of braking effectiveness can happen due to:
- Excessive use: Prolonged braking can cause overheating, which melts the friction material on the brake pads, reducing their ability to stop your vehicle.
- Poor pad quality: The resin on lower-quality brake pads will wear down quickly due to brake system heat, resulting in pad fade.
- Insufficient brake cooling: Damaged braking components or tight wheel bearings can reduce heat dissipation, causing overheating and brake fade.
- Boiling brake fluid: Old brake fluid can become contaminated with water. When the braking system overheats, this water boils and turns into vapor. This creates gas bubbles, which reduce the hydraulic pressure necessary to engage the brakes.
NOTE: Another factor contributing to fade is the cascading effect that a single faulty brake can have. If the brake on one wheel fails, the other brakes must work harder to stop the vehicle, which increases their likelihood of overheating and failing.
Now that you know the causes of brake fade, let’s examine the different types.
4 Different Types of Brake Fade
The four types of brake fade include:
1. Brake Pad Fade
Brake pad fade happens with disc brakes. When the pads in your disc brake assembly operate above their maximum temperature range, the friction material (brake pad material or brake lining) degrades.
Over time, the resin that binds the compounds in the brake pad material (friction surface) degenerates and expels gases.
These gases create a film between the brake rotor (brake disc) and the pads. This film, in turn, can cause your pad to skid off the brake disc, preventing you from slowing down effectively.
2. Mechanical Brake Fade
Mechanical fade normally occurs in drum brake systems when excessive use creates extreme heat. As the brake drum heats up, it expands and pulls away from the brake lining. Since there’s less contact between the drum and lining, there’s less friction and reduced braking power.
3. Green Brake Fade
The friction material in new brake pads releases gases during the first few uses of your disc brakes.
These gases can reduce friction between the new brake pads and the disc, which is necessary for optimal brake functioning. Essentially, the gases make the contact between the friction material and the brake rotor more slippery.
To minimize green fade, gradually heat the pads through gentle braking over several cycles (also called “bedding” the brakes). This allows the resin to stabilize without releasing excessive gases.
4. Brake Fluid Fade
Brake fluid fade occurs because the fluid absorbs moisture — a problem that can affect both the drum brake and the disc brake systems.
Under the intense heat of heavy braking, the moisture-contaminated fluid can boil, creating compressible air bubbles in the brake line and hose network. These air pockets reduce the hydraulic pressure reaching the brake caliper or wheel cylinder via the brake line and hose, resulting in a significant loss of braking force.
Wondering how to handle a brake fade on the road?
Follow the steps below.
What Should You Do When You Experience a Brake Fade?
For all brake problems, it’s best to avoid driving and contact a mechanic for a brake repair.
However, if notice a brake problem while driving, you should:
- Use engine braking: Gradually change down to a lower gear, allowing engine braking to slow down your vehicle.
- Pump the brakes: If fluid fade occurs, pumping the brake pedal can help maintain some hydraulic pressure and regain partial braking power.
- Use the handbrake: Engage the handbrake slowly and smoothly to avoid losing control. Be cautious, as the handbrake is less effective than the main brakes and may cause the vehicle to pull to one side.
- Look for safe exit routes: If possible, steer towards a safe spot, such as a side road or an uphill slope, where gravity can assist in slowing the vehicle.
- Signal an emergency: Turn on your hazard lights and sound the horn to alert other drivers.
Knowing how to handle your vehicle with less braking power is essential. However, recognizing the symptoms of a brake fade before they become severe will keep you out of harm’s way.
What Are Some Common Brake Fade Symptoms?
In cases of brake fade, you’ll likely notice:
- Reduced braking performance: If your brakes overheat, friction between the pads and rotors will reduce. This will cause your vehicle to take longer to stop than usual, even with normal pedal pressure.
- Spongy brake pedal: If fluid fade occurs, the brake pedal may feel spongy or soft. However, in the case of pad fade, the pedal might feel normal but still lack stopping power.
- A burning smell: Overheated, worn brake pads or boiling fluid can produce a strong, burning odor.
- Smoke: In extreme cases, smoke may be visible from the wheels if your brake pads burn due to excess friction and heat.
Luckily, once your brakes cool down, their stopping power returns.
So, how long should you wait for overheated brakes to cool off?
How Long Does It Take for Overheated Brakes to Cool Down?
After stopping, your brakes will take at least 5 to 10 minutes to cool down. While it’s not advisable to drive with a brake problem, you should test your brakes before driving again if you have no choice.
In some cases (e.g., green brake fade), the reduced braking performance may be temporary. However, if there’s a more serious brake system problem (like worn brake pads), you’ll likely experience it again. So ensure you contact a mechanic to get a brake repair ASAP.
That said, you don’t have to constantly worry about brake fade. There are several things you can do to avoid this issue.
5 Useful Tips to Help You Prevent Brake Fade
Here are five proactive steps you can take to avoid this brake failure:
- Adopt safe driving habits: Avoid aggressive driving and heavy braking to prevent your vehicle’s brake system from overheating.
- Purchase high-quality parts: Use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) brake components from reputable brands to reduce the chances of chemical and mechanical fade.
- Use a drilled drum brake or rotor: The drilled holes allow air to pass through, improving ventilation and promoting faster cooling.
- Flush your brake fluid: Regularly flush your braking system to reduce the likelihood of fading from moisture contamination. Replace your old brake fluid every 24,000 miles.
- Install fade-stop brake coolers: This accessory directs airflow towards the brake components for improved cooling.
Don’t Let Brake Problems Fade Your Stopping Power
Brake fade increases your chances of having a road accident. It dampens your car’s stopping power, putting you in significant danger when you drive.
While this may be temporary, you should have a mechanic check your brakes to prevent chronic brake fade.
Worried about driving to the mechanic with unreliable brakes?
AutoNation Mobile Service has got you covered!
Our mechanics will fix your brakes from your driveway. We’re available seven days a week and offer a 12-month, 12,000-mile repair warranty.
Contact us for all your braking system issues and other auto repair services.