5 Common Cold Weather Brake Problems
When it gets cold, you may notice a change in your car’s performance, especially when braking. A combination of moisture, friction, and wear on parts can cause several braking problems in low temperatures.
Let’s take a look at some common problems you may face in winter conditions (unless you live in Arizona) and how to solve them before they become a serious problem.
Common Winter Brake Problems
1) Squealing Noises
Your brakes may squeak or squeal in cold weather or on frosty mornings. There are a few main reasons for this. Moisture in the air, snow, mud, and water on the road can affect your brake pads and rotors. Braking heats up the surface, and moisture dries quickly, so the noise will gradually decrease as you drive longer.
In addition, cold temperatures can cause metals to shrink, temporarily causing some brake components to bond differently, resulting in an annoying noise.
2) Grinding noise
Another common brake noise to be aware of in cold weather is a grinding sound. This is often more alarming than a squealing or squealing sound, but it’s usually no reason to panic. In cold environments, the air is more humid, so the grinding noise is often caused by rust on the brake discs. If you park your car outside overnight, a thin layer of rust can form. Usually, you can remove the rust by simply driving and braking.
Worn brake pads or discs are also a cause of this noise. It doesn’t need to be cold, but cold temperatures make it occur slightly more frequently. This is a problem that will not resolve on its own, so you should have your brakes inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible. It is much cheaper to replace brake pads before the rotors are damaged. If your brake rotors have marks or grooves, you should consider recoating or replacing them.
3) Brake Rotor Shrinkage
As temperatures drop, the effects on brake components, especially brake rotors, become more noticeable. Cold air can cause brake rotors to shrink. This shrinkage can often affect the overall performance of your braking system.
When driving in cold weather, the heat generated when braking can quickly escape due to the cold air around your components. This can reduce braking effectiveness and increase wear on your brake pads and rotors.
4) Damage from Road Salt
In many parts of the country, salt is often spread on roads to melt ice and snow. While this practice can result in safer driving conditions, it can also cause damage to your braking system. Salt increases the rate of corrosion of metal parts, especially rotors and brake lines. When these parts corrode, they become less effective, which can lead to costly repairs and even brake failure.
5) Frozen Brake Components
Another issue to watch out for is water and dirt buildup on your brakes. Driving through snow or mud can cause water to build up on your brake components and freeze overnight. This ice buildup can cause your brake pedal to be less responsive and your rotors to wear unevenly. To prevent this, if possible, park in a garage or other covered location to prevent ice buildup.
Avoid Brake Problems in Winter
Winter can put a lot of strain on your car’s brakes, and the combination of snow and ice makes driving a whole new challenge. Here are some tips to help you.
Tip #1 – Get a Brake Inspection
If you haven’t had your car serviced recently, it’s a good idea to get a brake inspection before the winter season begins. A mechanic can identify any problems with your braking system and ensure all components are working properly. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, don’t forget to check your brake fluid levels and keep it topped up.
Tip #2 – Check your tire pressure
Maintaining proper tire pressure is always important, but it’s even more important on snowy and icy roads. Get into the habit of checking your tire pressure regularly, especially in cold weather, where pressure can drop. Proper tire pressure can reduce the risk of your wheels locking up in slippery conditions.
Tip #3 – Wash your car
You might be wondering, “What’s the point of washing my car when it’s cold and snowy outside?” but washing it regularly can help prevent brake problems. Road salt, dirt, and grime buildup on your vehicle can affect your braking system components.
Washing your car regularly can help keep these harmful contaminants away. At least occasionally, use a hose nozzle to wash down the wheels and the brake components behind them (don’t use it when the wheels are hot).
Tip #4 – Drive Carefully
It may seem obvious, but be extra careful when driving in the winter. This means avoiding sudden stops, accelerating smoothly, and giving yourself enough time to react to obstacles and changing road conditions. Be careful with your brakes so you don’t put unnecessary strain on the system.
Tip #5 – Be gentle with the brakes
When driving on slippery surfaces, don’t rely solely on your brakes to slow you down. Instead, use a combination of engine braking and coasting to gradually reduce your speed. This technique helps protect your brakes and prevent premature wear.
Also, if you’re the type that likes to drive using both feet, it might be worth getting away from that habit as you will likely end up “riding the brakes” by resting your left foot on the brake pedal without even realizing it. Not only are you confusing drivers behind you, you’re wasting gas and shortening the lifespan of your brake components.