My Brakes Stopped Working, Then Started Again. What’s Going On?

Have you tried to push your brake only to find out it is not as strong as before? And after pulling over and taking some time, it works well again? After gushing over various levels of panic with the sudden loss of braking power, your brake works like new after switching back from your emergency brakes.

Brake caliper problems highlights

• Level of urgency:super-urgent
• DIY diagnostics:impossible
• DIY repairs:impossible
• Price for repair:$300 - $600
• Common symptoms:noise when driving, bad braking, locked-up wheels
• Commonreasons:old caliper, physical damage
• If ignored:locked wheels, dangerous driving, accidents

How Should Your Brake System Work?

Brake fade is the moment when your vehicle suddenly loses its braking power. Sometimes, it takes longer before the brake pedals work.

When the brake pads touch the disc, it creates friction and generates heat. Most brake pads can take heat of up to 700°F. Some of them can withstand the heat of up to 1200°F. When the heat increases to more than the brake pad's capacity, it decreases its ability to stop the car.

But it doesn't happen all the time. Your brake pads will not get passed over this temperature. You usually press on the pedals for only a few seconds. So your brake pads have more time to dissipate or cool down.

When your brake pads cool down for some time, your brake works again!

This event usually occurs when your brake pads rub the discs for longer. It creates sustained friction, causing them to overheat. Overheating affects the functionality of your braking system, causing brake fade.

When does Brake Fade Happen?

A lot of brake fades result from driving practices or habits.

• When you'd usually drive to stop and go traffic, you had to press on your brake pedal longer.
• Your brake pads can overheat If you drive aggressively and step on the pedal more frequently.
• If you drive on steep roads or drive long in hills, you'd have to step on brake pedals longer.
• If you drive a vehicle with loads more than its capacity, you are putting more stress on the brake pads.
• Remember that excessive heat can reduce your braking power or not respond at all.

What are the Causes of Brake Fade?

1. The Brake Fluid is Likely Boiling

Pressing your pedal pushes the calipers against the brake disc. When pressed for a longer time, it generates heat.

When the heat generated by friction sustains for a longer time, the brake fluid creates bubbles. You will have a low brake fluid level, resulting in reduced braking power. The liquid is stronger to compress than air.

So when you press your pedal with more air, it will feel spongy and less powerful. You will have to press the pedal harder, and your vehicle may take longer to stop.

Remember this: The older your brake fluid is, the more it tends to heat up and boil.

2. Your New Brake Pads Must Not Have Be Bedded Yet

Did you replace your brake pads or rotor disc recently? If you suddenly lost braking power, are driving with new brake pads or rotor discs, and the brake worked again miraculously, you have gone through a green fade.

Green fade develops when your newly replaced brake pads or discs haven't aligned to their places yet. The bedding period is the time between the installation and when these parts are aligned properly in their spots. These components may align properly and apply braking power effectively after running for 500 miles.  

3. Your Brake Pads Must Have Worn Out

Brake pads have maximum temperature capacity. As mentioned earlier, regular brake pads have a temperature capacity of 700°F. Some of them have a 1200°F heat rating.

In cases where the friction generates heat above this temperature, the pads may melt. If they do, they tend to lubricate the rotors rather than create friction. The melted resin develops a film between the pad and the disc as they cool down.

Now the braking ability has been compromised. The pads and rotor will have less tactility in this condition. At some point, it may work again as it will feel solid but expect it to clamp less or create less friction. Some vehicle owners scrape the glazed surface to be functional again. If much surface melted, replace the brake pads.

Signs your Brake is Fading

The usual signs when your brake is fading are usually abrupt as it comes in split seconds.

• Soft or spongy pedals, when pressed
• Have reduced braking power
• Wheels take longer to stop
• Friction loss

These signs can be dangerous. When you have to stop your car with people crossing your way, you will fall short of time to stop.

What Can You Do When You Think Your Brake is Fading?

When you see these signs while you are in the middle of the road, here is what you can do.

• Calm down.
• Take notice of your surroundings.
• Shift your vehicle to lower gear as soon as you can.
• Reduce your speed.
• Pull over to the safe side of the road.
• Let your braking system cool down for at least 10 minutes or more.
• After cooling down and you are ready to drive again, drive at the lowest gear possible. Slowly shift it to the usual gear when you feel you can.

When switching to lower gear, check for your safety and surroundings. If you have brake fluid in your trunk, go and add brake fluid if the level is low.

Will Your Brake Always Work Again After Some Time?

Brake fade happens abruptly and to find it always working again is unsure. For once, Brake fade can be a sudden or total loss of braking power. Do take the risk on the little chances that it may work again the first time it did.

If your brake fade is due to boiling fluid, you would have to replace it as soon as possible. You may experience another brake fade, or it could lead to brake failure.

If your brake fade is due to new brake pads or rotor discs, the chances to work efficiently upon installation are more likely.

You have to bed them properly. Drive it at the speed recommended by your dealer, then press the pedal to a heavy stop. Repeat this process in some intervals until you feel the brake pads align in place.

If you have melted brake pads with a little glazed surface, you may only need to scrape them-especially if they're new. They would likely work again. If you have worn-out brake pads, the risks of having another brake fade may turn into brake failure. So your remedy is to replace them.

How Can You Prevent Brake Fade?

1. Be a careful driver.

Avoid driving aggressively. Avoid slamming your brake pads forcefully and suddenly. Do not speed up your car with a quick start and acceleration. Be gentle and enjoy your ride. Forceful brakes on stop-and-go lights are abrasive to your pads and rotors.

2. Utilize engine braking.

Engine braking is going slow without stepping on the accelerator and keeping your engine at low gear without forceful pressing on the pedal. If you drive frequently on down hills and troubled roads, you can shift to engine braking instead of keeping your foot on the brake pedal.

Using engine braking is much more beneficial to your braking pads. It is a safer way to drive. Plus, it will cost less fuel and maintenance.

3. Take care of your braking system.

Go for regular maintenance. Get your mechanic to change pads and brake fluids as advised. Don't wait for your brake pads to wear out. Older brake fluids have more chances to accumulate dirt and grime. You may need to flush them. You may have to replace your master cylinder too.

What Should You Do After a Brake Fade?

If you successfully go through a brake fade and find the brake pads functional again, it is no excuse not to bring the vehicle to your service workshop. There is a reason why your braking system suffered a sudden loss of power.

You must find out what it is and perform the necessary repairs or replacements. You'll never know when you will experience brake fade again. And you are unsure if it will work again like the first time.

If you find it working again, it is not worth the risk. Go to your trusted service workshop.