Can Brake Pads Overheat In Autumn & Winter?

In one of our past posts, we talked about the dangers of rust on the brake system and how the colder autumn and winter months can exacerbate issues. Today, we’ll turn our attention to how rainy weather and colder, frosty temperatures can be responsible for a vehicle’s brake system overheating. Excess heat is the second top factor that affects brake pads in winter, and while that may sound counter-intuitive, it’s down to the way the heat is generated that causes the issues: it’s due to the extra braking pressure that’s required to stop a vehicle in wet or frozen conditions.

As a wholesale manufacturer of brake pads and other car parts ourselves, the team at Frontech have been helping businesses and distributors make better purchasing decisions and ensure they stock the highest quality products for their target markets. 

We are here to answer any queries you may have and we’ll start with the top queries we receive relating to brake pads in autumn and winter:

What happens if you overheat brake pads?

If your brake pads overheat, they may begin to feel more spongy or slack and you may also see or smell smoke as the heat isn’t dissipating as it should. If your brake pads are worn, you may also hear a metallic grinding sound and it may take your vehicle longer to come to a complete stop. 

Why are my brakes not working in the cold?

In cold or snowy weather, frost can gather between parts of the brake system and prevent the brake pad from making proper contact with the brake disc. When the generated heat melts the frost, any sediment left behind can also prevent contact, so it takes more pressure to stop the vehicle, therefore producing more heat. To alleviate this, it’s a good idea to use your brakes softly when you first set off on your journey to help remove any excess moisture and avoid trapping grit between your brake pad and disc. 

How do you cool down brakes that have overheated?

Brakes can overheat in minutes, but they can also cool down just as quickly (especially in colder weather!). If it’s safe to do so, it’s always better to stop somewhere for a rest, however, if you cannot stop, reduce your speed and avoid braking harshly for 5-10 minutes. Repeatedly speeding up and braking again can cause excess friction, so depending on the road and traffic conditions, try to maintain a steady speed and be gentle on the brakes.

When In Doubt, Contact The Frontech Team!

We’re a trusted wholesale supplier with a 5* rating on Google and Alibaba (as well as having a 100% on-time delivery rate!). Contact us any time via our contact form, via email at sales@frontech.com, or by sending us a message on WhatsApp at +86 1531 832 9151 where a member of our team will be happy to assist. We are open from 8am to 5:30pm Monday – Friday and aim to get back to all enquiries within 24 business hours.