When the temperature drops, you might experience changes in your car’s performance, especially when it comes to braking. The combination of moisture, friction, and parts that are worn can lead to a handful of brake problems in colder temperatures.
Let’s break down some common issues that you may experience in winter conditions (unless you are lucky enough to live in Arizona), and how to prevent them from becoming a serious problem.
Common Brake Problems in Winter
#1. Squeaking and Squealing.
In cold climates or on those frosty mornings, you may hear the brakes squeak or squeal. There are two main reasons for this.
Moisture in the air or from snow, slush, or water on the road can affect your brake pads and rotors. When you use your brakes, the surfaces heat up and quickly dry any moisture, so the noise diminishes the longer you drive.
Also, cold temperatures make metal contract, so some brake parts temporarily fit together differently and make unusual noise.
#2. Grinding Noises.
Sometimes in cold weather, you will notice a grinding noise from your brakes, which tends to be less reassuring than experiencing a squeaking or squealing noise, but in most cases, this is not a reason to panic.
This noise is usually caused by some rust formed on the brake rotors because there is more moisture in the air when the weather is cold. If you park your vehicle overnight, a very thin layer of rust may form overnight. The rust usually comes off just by driving and using your brakes.
The other reason for a grinding noise is worn brake pads or rotors, which can happen any time of year but seems to be more noticeable at low temperatures.
This is not a problem that will fix itself, so you should have your brakes checked out by a mechanic sooner rather than later. The sooner you have your brake pads replaced, the less costly it will be before they cause damage to your rotors’ surface. If your brake rotor shows marks or grooves, you will have to either get your brake rotors resurfaced or replaced.
#3. Brake Rotor Contraction.
The effect of cold temperatures can affect your brake parts, which has the most noticeable effect on brake rotors. The cold air can cause your brake rotors to contract. This contraction can sometimes have an impact on the performance of the braking system.
In colder weather, the heat generated by braking can leave the mating surfaces quickly as cold air approaches the components. The result can be a less-than-efficient braking efficiency along with increased wear to pads and rotors.
#4. Damage From Road Salt.
In many states around the country, you can find salt spread out on roads to melt ice and snow. Salt is a good way to create safer driving conditions, but it can expose your brake system to harm.
The salt speeds up corrosion of metal surfaces on your brake system, especially the rotors and brake lines. As these areas corrode, their ability to function as designed declines, and thus leads to costly repairs or brake failure.
#5. Freezing Brake Components.
You should also keep an eye out for water and dirt accumulating on your brakes. Whenever you are driving through snow or slush, water can accumulate on your brake components and freeze overnight.
The ice will make your brake pedal feel less responsive and can also lead to uneven wear on your rotors.
Whenever you can, try and park in your garage or other covered areas. This will help to stop any ice from forming.
How to Avoid Brake Problems in Winter
Winter is hard on your brakes, but at least with snow and ice, you can expect to approach driving quite differently than in the dry summer months — just be prepared. So, here are a few tips that should assist you.
Tip #1. Have a Brake Inspection.
As mentioned, winter is not a time for poor brake performance. Assuming you have not been in for a service in quite a while, consider a brake inspection to get prepared for the start of winter.
An experienced licensed brake specialist can spot potential problems in your brake system and also check that all components are performing correctly.
And for all you DIY’ers, don’t forget to check and top up your brake fluid.
Tip #2. Check Your Tire Pressure.
Tire pressure is always important, but new/snowy and iced roads are going to make the pressure even more so.
Make checking your tire pressure a habit, especially during winter when the ambient cold temperatures and tire pressure will drop. Maintaining proper tire inflation will minimize your chances of wheel lock-up in slippery conditions.
Tip #3. Wash Your Car.
This one may seem silly — especially in cold, snowy conditions, what’s the point of washing your car? However, regular car washes will help avoid brake issues. Road salt, dirt, and debris can build up on your vehicle and potentially seize or affect your car’s brake system (disc pads) and components.
A regular, inexpensive wash will thwart this hazard. At the very least, on every trip, and that is not when they are hot, use a simple hose nozzle to spray off your wheels/tires and any braking components behind them.
Tip #4. Drive Safely.
This should go without saying, but please drive cautiously in inclement winter weather conditions.
That is, avoid sudden stops, be slow in accelerating, etc, and provide yourself ample time to prepare for and react to obstacles or weather changes on the road ahead. Be gentle on your brakes to reduce horrifying stress on your systems.
Tip #5. Go Easy on the Brakes.
When you drive in the summer or in dry conditions, brakes are typically the primary source of stopping your vehicle. However, on new snow or ice, do your best not to solely rely on your brakes to slow down.
Use engine braking and allow your vehicle to coast at different speeds to reduce its speed. These tips develop safe driving habits that save brakes, steering systems, and other components from premature wear.
Finally, if you’re one of those drivers who like to overuse both feet when driving, it may be wise to break out of that habit, as you’re going to “ride your brakes” by resting your left foot without realizing it. Not only are you confusing the words behind, but you are wasting gas and destroying what could be healthy brake components.
FAQs.
Can Brake Lines Freeze in Cold Weather?
In cold weather, brake lines can theoretically freeze, though in reality, this is very rare and would have to be around 40 or 50 degrees below zero to freeze.
However, yeah, if the brake lines happen to have microscopic cracks or tiny holes due to prolonged exposure to harsh weather or from a previous accident, then some moisture could get into the brake lines and freeze in the brake fluid.
If moisture gets in and there is a lot enough, there is enough moisture the brake fluid will freeze at much higher temperatures.
What Causes Brake Pedal Freezing?
Picture this: Ice somehow was able to form a small puddle of moisture from accumulated moisture inside the brake system and then, because of extreme cold, was able to freeze, causing a frozen mechanism somewhere in the brake system?
Yup! This is sort of how brake pedal freezing happens, and under certain extreme conditions, could cause a brake pedal to stick or become hard to press because the mechanism in the brake system was mechanically frozen in the deployed position of the brakes.
How Can I Fix Stuck Brakes on a Car?
To fix the stuck brakes, my best recommendation is first to gently try to pump the brakes to allow the built-up ice to melt a little, and then, if that didn’t work, then use a suitable heat source like a hair dryer to carefully, and gently, warm up the stuck brake components enough to melt the ice.
Again, be extra careful how heat is applied to the stuck brake system to avoid injuries or damaging sensitive components like wiring or brake lines, etc.
What’s Causing My Car to Judder When Braking in Cold Weather?
There can be many reasons why a car would judder when braking in cold weather, one being uneven wear on brake discs and pads, and damp road surfaces with ice or snow, or rust causing some type of mechanical lock-up.