During the summer, there’s nothing more satisfying than driving with the windows down and the breeze blowing through your hair. While the heat might feel comforting on your skin, it can potentially damage the various components of your vehicle. Use the following guide to understand how high temperatures affect your brakes and what you can do to avoid malfunctions during a summer road trip.

How Does Hot Weather Damage the Braking System?

Under normal circumstances, your vehicle already creates a lot of heat. When you press on the brake pedal, you create fiction that helps stop the car. Heat dissipation is essential to avoid excessive temperatures and malfunctioning parts. During the summer, it’s more difficult for the components to expel the heat fast enough. 

If the mechanisms maintain high temperatures for too long, they might warp and become structurally weak. For example, the master cylinder holds the braking fluid in the vehicle. If the component overheats, its bores can expand, causing the fluid to leak and the system to lose power.

Maintenance Tips

If you expect hot conditions, have the mechanisms replaced with options that tolerate heat better. For example, you might upgrade to ceramic or stainless steel rotors. Ceramic pads are known to retain less heat than other types.

Alternatively, semi-metallic bands and slotted rotors are heat-tolerant upgrades. Cross-drilled, slotted rotors are more efficient in dissipating heat due to their larger surface areas. Discuss these options with a mechanic to make the most informed decision for your vehicle.

Also, get the brake fluid inspected by a trusted professional. They will ensure the liquid hasn’t entered the brake lines, which might increase the chances of fluid boiling during extreme temperatures. They might swap the substance with an option that has a higher boiling point to avoid malfunctions.

Prepare your brakes for the heat with an inspection from B&L Auto Diesel Tires & Alignment in Andrews, TX. These experienced mechanics are dedicated to keeping your car on the road. They provide a broad range of services, including oil changes, component replacements, and tire inspections. For superior auto maintenance, call (432) 523-3480. Learn more about their services online.