Overheated brakes

Hey guys another real simple question. I did a search and found some stuff on this but figured I'd ask to be sure. Did a rookie mistake and rode my brakes down a real steep mountain trail with a lot of switch backs. Probably did for about 10 min before I noticed a burning smell from my brakes and they weren't grabbing as well. Pulled off and my brakes were super hot and smoking just barely. I let them cool and then just got them off the trail to see open road were I could get some air and speed to cool them. They don't really look glazed or seem to brake much differently. Do you guys think I hurt them? Super paranoid cause I just did the front brakes. Yes next time I will be using 4 low to crawl down the hill slowly. Thanks in advance

 

Could be. I ruined a new set of rotors leaning on the brakes towing a boat when the driver in front of me decided the yellow light meant panic emergency stop and then stood on the brakes until the light changed and the traffic started moving again. I took them off and there was an imprint of the pad on the rotor. Replaced the rotors and I was good to go.

 

I have done the same thing before. The car seemed to recover just fine after a few minute to cool off. No worries.

 

Probably fine. But next time you flush your brake fluid....step up to DOT4. It's got a higher boiling temp that can help combat brake fade.

 

Ok that's what I thought and when the brakes were done they had oem Toyota parts put on and the brake fluid was flushed. I can still see the cross hatching on the rotors and they don't look too bad. Thanks for the replies and I don't think I'll let it happen again. When I flush it I'm definitely doing dot 4 for sure. I read that if you got brake fade you need to flush the fluid cause you could have gotten air but I'm not sure how true this is. Thanks again guys

 

I doubt you got air in it...as it's a closed system. But some people believe you should flush if you think you may have cooked the fluid. Personally, I would. But I'm also one of those dorks that flushes his fluid every couple of years regardless.

Next time drop it down a gear or 2 and let the engine do some of the braking for you. Also alternate light braking.....on the pedal for a bit....off the pedal for a bit

 

I've used this for years.

 

When I flush it next I'll be sure to use that fluid. Valvoline has been some of my favorite brand of fluids so that's a plus. I'm new to offroading out west ("off-road" in the Midwest where I grew up doesn't hold a candle). It was a narrow 2 track with a straight drop off so I guess I was nervous and braking hard. Next time I'm going down to 2nd or low and just gonna let it engine brake. I appreciate your replies. What's your interval for brake fluid replacement??

 

Remember....if your vehicle is spec'd for DOT 3 you can always step up to DOT 4. However, as a general rule, it's not recommended to step down to 3 if you're spec'd for 4....especially on a performance vehicle.

Valoline is smart and knows this. Their DOT "3/4" is actually 4. They can widen their potential buying base by labeling it that way.

 

I run a lot of Valoline product in many of my Toyotas (we have 7 in our family)....brake fluids, coolants, ATF, oils, etc. Their corporate headquarters is 2 miles from my house. Might as well support the "local" economy.

 

Doing it once isn’t a big deal

 

https://www.lelandwest.com/brake-fluid-comparison-chart.cfm