Very Hot Brake Rotors

valk97 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 06:08 PM

2010 Fit Sport - Have had it around 2 weeks and have put on about 700 miles. Took a short 5 min ride to the car wash today. During the wash, noticed the water was sizziling and steaming off the rotors. This was after just a 5 minute ride and after the car was off for almost 5 minutes. Guess the brade pads are sticking? Can only wonder how much brake pad wear I have had already not to mention the possibility of warped rotors. Heading to the dealer on Monday.

Anyone else have this problem?

Noticed a few posts where some have had the brake pads replaced after only 15k. Wonder if they were haveing the same problem and did not know it?

fmcfad01 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

When contacting surfaces move relative to each other, the friction between the two surfaces converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, or heat.

-Wikipedia

I'd say this is normal. You'd know if you had a sticking caliper.

qbmurderer13 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 06:36 PM

Cold water + hot rotors = smoke

This is normal, there is TONS of friction and brakes are supposed to get hot. Dont spray your rotors with water until they cool down, you can crack them like that.

gynosis · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 07:30 PM

if you have brake shudder after this, congratulations! you've warped your disks...

valk97 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 08:02 PM

Normal?
I can see the rotors getting hot under certain conditions, such as continuous hard braking, applying brakes when descending down a hill, etc., but this was a two mile ride to the car wash… Top speed around 25mph, no hills, and a few stop signs. And, after pulling into the car wash the car was off for almost 5 minutes before water was even applied.
If brakes are not applied, there should be little or no friction between the brake pads and rotors, thus little or no heat, correct?
Have never noticed anything like this on the disk brakes on any other car that I have owned.

valk97 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 08:11 PM

This seems to address the issue...

Automotive Questions and Answers -

The calipers may not be fully releasing?

qbmurderer13 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 08:23 PM

As mentioned, you would notice if your calipers were sticking. Brakes do get hot under EVERY condition. It takes A LOT of friction to stop a 2600 pound car, even at 25mph. Plus all the stop signs you mentioned.

BakedCookies · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:25 AM

you are overreacting, this is completely normal. Like said above, Friction = Heat

awptickes · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:08 AM

Brake calipers get hot. It's their nature.

They convert kinetic energy into heat, that's how they make your car stop/slow down.

fmcfad01 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 03:39 PM

Rub your hands together for 5 seconds and see how much heat gets generated. Then factor in the weight of the car plus the speed your traveling. Normal.

doctordoom · #11 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 03:55 PM

everybody already said it but i'll add another one in case you're still skeptical. it's normal.

JDM-Taffeta-S · #12 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 04:08 PM

sounds like too much heat but you also have a new vehicle the rotors have special coating on them im sure ur breaking in. But other than that its normal.

specboy · #13 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:30 PM

Was this both rotors or just one? If both, I agree with the above. If just one, I'll vote the other way... it's NOT normal for rotors to get that hot after such a short drive with very little braking. One thing to keep an eye on is if the rotor (where it contacts the hub and wheel) is very hot or if the wheel itself is very warm. This is an indication that a caliper is sticking. Calipers pull from both sides and rely on the motion of the rotor to push them back. If a caliper does not release properly, one of the sides may not separate from the rotor and will continue to provide pressure. Usually this is the outside part of the caliper and pads wear quite quickly. Have this checked out at the dealer as it isn't unheard of and should be completely covered under warranty. If a rotor is warped, they'll replace both front rotors (and possibly both sets of pads) at no cost. They may prorate the pads based upon the functioning side.

This happened to me with our ridgeline while I was on vacation. The Honda replaced the caliper and both rotors/pads at no cost. (@ 30K miles)

This is also assuming the OP is not a "two-footed" driver using the left foot to brake and the right foot for gas. Most of those that use the left foot for brake go through pads and rotors quite often as they ride the brakes.

Occasionally calipers may stick (usually not both) and a quick fix to release them is to drive the car backwards and jam on the brakes.

~SB

fmcfad01 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbmurderer13

Cold water + hot rotors = smoke

Steam brotha!

Black3sr · #15 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmcfad01

Steam brotha!

Good one.

I would suggest a drive through car wash. Out of site out of mind.

valk97 · #16 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:32 AM

Drive thru car wash…out of sight out of mind.. ??? LOL…. that’s some funny stuff.. Too late though as the vision is permanently burned into my memory, or what’s left of it

.

Both rotors appeared to be as hot as a frying pan almost 5 minutes after that short drive. Can’t imagine them getting that hot by the friction caused by just applying the brakes as there was very limited braking.

On my other cars the rotors get warm to hot, depending, but nothing compared to these base on my unscientific observation.

Oh well, perhaps it is normal for the Fit. Given it is under warranty will just wait and see. If I need brake pads after 15k or so (have seen a few posts on that subject) then I figure there is a good chance that the pads are dragging/sticking.

Thanks All!!!!

lostpacket · #17 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 03:19 PM

I suspect you are just being too observant. All rotors act that way even after 5 minutes of driving. It also depends on the person, maybe you are a hard braker.

If the pads are dragging or hanging up, the car will go in the direction of the hanging pad/caliper. The odds of you having both pads hang at the same rate is very low as it would mean the master cylinder or ABS vales are defective in a manner that controls both sides equally.

Get on a flat road or the crown of the street and let go of the wheel. Does the car go to one side? (yes, I know this could mean suspension alignment, but it is a good test for a non-mechanic)

And just a fyi, rotors don't just warp when they touch water. If they did you would never drive in the rain. I have seen Porsche racing rotors (and stock ones) at our shop that were so hot they turned purple. Once they cooled down they were fine.

kenchan · #18 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 03:42 PM

hummm...really depends on how much braking you do. i suppose some sizzling is normal but if it's like a hotplate i think your pads are dragging.

another reason why i dont take my cars to carwashes as i dont like throwing cold water on the hot brakes.

JDMxGE8 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 03:50 PM

No need to worry. It's normal. I have 27K on my GE8. I've had her for 13 months. I drive pretty conservatively and sometimes like to do some spirited driving. When I do, I tend to late-brake and brake quite hard. I haven't replaced my brakes yet.

qbmurderer13 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 04:13 PM

Please don't take your car through drive through car washes any way. Unless you want swirls all over your paint. Those that you park and wash are just as bad. Those broom looking brushes are left on the floor to collect rocks and dirt that you drag over your paint. Not to mention the hot brakes. Makes me cringe...