How To Prevent Brake Fade In Your Porsche While Driving In Tempe

by admin January 13, 2025

Whether you’re out navigating tight corners on a drive in the desert, or facing stop-and-go traffic heading to a game at ASU, you want to make sure your Porsche’s braking system stays in top condition. One of the most common things we see is what we call brake fade in the Porsches here in our hot temperatures.

What In The World Is Brake Fade

Brake fade happens when the braking system overheats, causing a reduction in braking performance. This can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common culprit is excessive friction between the brake pads and rotors. If you are using your brakes too much and not letting them cool down, the heat can cause the brake fluid to boil, the brake pads to wear down too quickly, or the rotors to warp, all of which result in reduced braking efficiency.

Porsches, being high-performance vehicles, are particularly susceptible to brake fade when driven hard or in hot conditions, like the warm climate of Tempe. As temperatures rise, your brake components can easily heat up beyond where they should be, leading to decreased braking power and longer stopping distances. In extreme cases, brake fade can lead to a complete failure of the braking system, which is why it’s essential to take preventative measures to keep your brakes in top shape.

Tips to Prevent Brake Fade

Maintain a Steady Driving Style If you find yourself speeding up and hitting the brakes and repeating this over and over, you’ll end up with problems quicker than normal. Instead of keeping your foot on the brake pedal, try using engine braking, especially when descending hills or driving at slower speeds. This helps to reduce the amount of friction generated by the brake pads and allows them to cool down more effectively.
Use Higher-Performance Brake Pads Upgrading to high-performance brake pads can make a significant difference in preventing brake fade. Porsche vehicles are engineered for high-performance driving, and choosing the right pads that can withstand higher temperatures will improve overall braking performance. High-performance pads are designed to provide better heat resistance, increased friction, and less wear under heavy braking conditions, making them ideal for spirited driving in Tempe’s hot weather.
Upgrade to Performance Brake Fluid Brake fluid is important when it comes to how well your vehicle will stop. It transfers the force you apply on the brake pedal to the brake pads. With standard brake fluid, the hot temperatures we get to in Tempe, you can find that most of that fluid will evaporate. Upgrading to a higher-quality brake fluid with a higher boiling point can help prevent this issue. Performance brake fluids are specifically designed to handle higher temperatures without boiling, ensuring your brakes maintain their performance even during hard stops.
Monitor Brake Rotor Condition Over time, the brake rotors on your Porsche can develop uneven wear which then, you guessed it, makes brake fade so much worse. If your rotors are not even, it can cause the brake pads to not make the right contact, reducing stopping power and contributing to brake fade.
Allow Your Brakes to Cool Down Think of your brakes like if you spent a bunch of time at the gym. You want to let yourself cool down before you go jumping into the next activity. After driving hard or engaging in high-performance driving, it’s important to allow your brakes to cool down.

How McIlvain Motors Can Help

If you’re a Porsche owner in Tempe or the surrounding areas of Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix, Porsche Brake Repair or Scottsdale, McIlvain Motors is your trusted partner in keeping your vehicle’s braking system in optimal condition. Our team of expert technicians has years of experience working on high-performance vehicles like Porsches and understands the importance of maintaining your car’s brakes to prevent issues like brake fade.

At McIlvain Motors, we offer comprehensive brake services, including brake inspections, fluid replacements, rotor resurfacing, and brake pad replacements. Our technicians use only the highest-quality parts and performance brake fluids to ensure your Porsche can handle the demands of both everyday driving and spirited driving without compromising on safety or performance. Regular brake maintenance, along with taking preventative measures, can keep your Porsche’s braking system in peak condition. Our technicians at McIlvain Motors are ready to help you and your Porsche get to driving confidently again!