How to Reduce Brake Fade

The decrease of stopping power commonly refereed to as "brake fade" happens after repeated application of the brakes, especially when carrying heavy loads or in high-speed situations. While there is no way to eliminate brake fade all together, there are several things you can do to reduce it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. When traversing a downhill road, select a lower gear rather than applying the brakes to slow down the vehicle. In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you should apply the brakes first before switching to a lower gear.

2. When braking, "tapping" the brakes, as opposed to constant application, give the brakes an opportunity to cool between applications, therefore reducing brake fade.

3. After replacing your brakes, try not to over-brake or put too much strain on them within the first 100-150 miles. If you can afford them, high performance brakes and rotors provide better stopping power with less brake fade due to higher-quality materials used that increases friction while decreasing the amount of concentrated heat applied to the brakes.

Tips & Warnings

• The best thing you can do to reduce brake fade (and many, many other car problems) is to "drive it like you're still paying on it". Take it easy on your car, and you car will take it easy on you. If you can't control your need for speed and high-performance driving, buy a car that was made for it.

[jimdris]

on 12/20/2007 With an automatic transmission, shifting out of overdrive (eg., 4th down to 3rd) would be safe for the transmission, while giving you some slowing. I would not shift down to 2nd unless you are going less than 40 mph. It would also help for you to keep your speed down in the first place, to say, the posted speed limit!

[jmwhitaker]

on 11/28/2007 Let me expound upon my statement of downshifting in lieu of breaking. This is, under no circumstances to be done in an automatic vehicle. If you drive a stick, you're not putting your transmission at risk to do some light downshifting here and there (this should never replace the brakes) like you would be doing if you downshifted in an automatic vehicle.

[Bartramo]

on 11/26/2007 oops forgot to mention that the brakes we are talking about are far more cheaper than the transmission that is working harder to slow the car down.

[Bartramo]

on 11/26/2007 I totally agree with " tapping, or stabbing " the brakes rather than hold them down constantly while trying to slow down going down a hill. Hate how people in front of you ride their brakes, which then forces you to use yours more.

I don't agree with gearing down. Gearing the transmission does slow things down, but it puts such a heavy load on the engine,and un-needed stress on critical and expensive transmission components. I still say stab the brakes as necessary, and make your way down the descent.

[jmwhitaker]

on 8/8/2007 Typically, I shift down 2 gears from what I am an for a steep hill. Again, brake fade is caused by over use of the brakes, so anything you can do to reduce the amount you use the brakes will help to slow down brake fade. If you have brake fade happening soon after replacing your brakes, get the rotors checked out by a professional, and ask for a higher quality brake for your next replacements.