TECHNICAL INSIGHT
Brake Safety and Performance Series
Part 1: The Hidden Danger of Brake Fade
Petzer says the biggest mistake drivers make when it comes to brake maintenance is ignoring the fluid.
“ Everyone worries about brake pads because you can see them get thin. But that bottle of brake fluid meanwhile is quietly absorbing water, lowering its boiling point and preparing to betray you at the worst possible moment.
“ Brake fluid is a service item, not a‘ lifetime fill’. It should be completely flushed and replaced every two years, regardless of mileage.” Petzer also explains why in-town driving and mountain roads or longdistance driving( perhaps even towing a caravan or trailer) are two different animals.
In-Town Driving
Your brakes benefit from regular cooling. For example, you brake for a traffic light, drive for a minute, brake for a stop sign, and drive for 30 seconds. This stop-and-go cycle allows a constant " blast of cooling air " between uses.
Imagine the sheer terror of pressing the brake pedal in an emergency, only to realize your brakes have failed completely. The unsettling reality is that most drivers wrongly assume their brakes are in good working order, until the moment they discover the frightening truth.
But brakes don’ t fail overnight, says the Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association( TEPA), a proud affiliate of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation( RMI). There will be warning signs and it’ s negligent to ignore these particularly when one considers that 35 % of all major crash accidents are caused by a tyre burst happening prior to the accident.
Dylan Petzer, TEPA National Vice Chairman, explains that‘ brake fade’ creeps up on you. It starts with you having to press the pedal a little bit further to get the same slowing effect. This‘ spongy’ or‘ long’ pedal is the classic sign.
“ If its brake fluid fade, the pedal might feel like stepping on a wet sponge and alarmingly close to the floor. If its brake pad fade, the pedal might feel hard as a rock and the car just won’ t slow down. On a long trip, especially down a mountain, this is a code-red panic situation and should be avoided at all cost.”
So what’ s really happening when brakes start to fade?
It’ s simple physics- brakes are energy converters. Your engine burns fuel to create kinetic energy( motion). To stop, your brakes convert all that motion back into thermal energy( heat).
They do this using friction- squeezing brake pads against a spinning metal disc( the rotor). This process creates an immense amount of heat.
Brake fade is what happens when the friction material on the pads gets hotter than its designed operating range and it can ' t " grip " the disc properly. The system is overwhelmed with heat and can ' t shed it fast enough.
Mountainous / Long-Distance Driving( Especially with Towing)
These situations demand sustained brake use. Driving down a long, steep pass or towing a heavy caravan means you are constantly " riding " the brakes to manage speed. The brakes continuously generate heat with no time to cool down. You are asking the system to absorb the kinetic energy of a heavy vehicle( two or three tons, including a trailer) for prolonged periods. This continuous demand will eventually push the brakes past their thermal limit, leading to failure.
What’ s the alternative to‘ riding’ your brakes?
Use your gears, Petzer says.“ When driving down a steep hill, instead of riding the brake pedal the whole way down, shift the car down to a lower gear. Let the engine ' s natural resistance hold the car ' s speed. This way, the engine does most of the work and your brakes stay cool, fresh and ready for the moment you really need them.”
3 signs your brakes need help
1. Hot brakes give off a pungent acrid burning smell. If you ' re driving down a pass and you smell this, pull over immediately and let the brakes cool down for at least 30 minutes.
2. Squealing is usually the sound of the built-in wear indicators needing to be changed. Grinding is worse as this is metal on metal and is destroying your rotors.
3. Vibration through the pedal or steering when you brake often means the rotors are warped, usually from a previous overheating episode.
“ The festive season is coming up and that means long drives, heavy loads and hot weather. To ensure your trip is 100 % safe, get to an accredited workshop for a pre-holiday vehicle inspection, including your brakes and brake fluid.
“ Setting off with your loved ones in a vehicle that has questionable braking power is irresponsible and can cost lives. Make sure your car is as ready for the holiday as you are,” Petzer concludes.
WORDS IN ACTION 4 NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2025