You take it for granted but every time you come to a stop in your car you are putting your automotive brake pads & rotors to work. When the brakes are engaged the brake pads rub against the rotors which makes them hot because of the friction between the two.
The rotors are generally made out of cast iron. It is a hard metal that can take a lot of wear and tear. They are relatively cheap compared to other metals and their surface allows them to more evenly distribute the heat when you stop. This gives your braking system a better and quicker chance to cool down.
The heat that is generated from a stop varies from the type of vehicle you are driving and the speed at which you are driving. Stopping your vehicle from a speed of 60 mph can result in temperatures from around 150 to 200 degrees while riding your brakes and or stopping on and off can increase the temperature up to 800 degrees.
The size of the rotors is comparable to the size of the vehicle – smaller cars require smaller rotors while SUVs, smaller trucks and mid-size to full size-vehicles must have larger rotors. You usually have to repair your rotors when you purchase new brakes because they bear the brunt of most of the wear and tear from the friction.
Getting the right type rotor replaced can be a little reminiscent of Goldilocks and the three bears. If the rotor is too hard it could easily crack yet if it is too soft it could wear out a lot faster. You should really try to stay with the same type of rotor that was on the vehicle when you bought it or at least the style that was on it if you purchased it new. This will ensure a smooth and quiet drive as well as a safe way to stop.
Tags: automotive, automotive brake, brake, brake pad, brake pads, brakes, braking system, new brakes, r cars, rotors, truck, vehicle