Brake Prep for Maryland Winters

How do wet leaves and cold mornings change braking?

Stopping depends on the grip between each tire and the road. Wet leaves, damp shade or frost mean less grip, so the tires can lose traction under braking sooner than you expect. When that happens you may feel the ABS pulse through the pedal as it releases and reapplies pressure. That is the system working, and it is also a sign to slow down.

Cold, damp mornings can also leave a thin film of surface rust on the rotors overnight. It usually wears off within the first few stops, and a light scrape or squeal at the start of a drive is common. A grinding noise that continues after the brakes have warmed up is a different matter and worth having checked.

What should I check on my brakes before winter?

Start with the signs you can notice yourself. Cold weather is a poor time to ignore any of them.

• Noise: squealing or grinding that does not go away after the first few stops.
• Pedal feel: a pedal that feels soft, sinks or pulses.
• Pulling: a car that pulls to one side when you brake.
• Warning lights: a brake or ABS light that stays on.

During a brake inspection, a technician checks pad thickness, rotors, fluid and calipers, and tells you what condition each is in.

Why does brake fluid matter in cold weather?

Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, and old fluid can affect pedal feel and braking performance. Moisture can also contribute to corrosion inside the brake system.

How often to replace it is listed in your owner's manual. A technician can check the fluid level and condition during an inspection and tell you whether it is due.

Why does a fully loaded holiday-travel car expose weak brakes?

Brakes have to absorb the energy of the whole moving vehicle. Add passengers, luggage and gifts, and there is more weight to stop, so the brakes work harder and run hotter than on an ordinary commute.

Brakes with thin pads, aging fluid or a sticking caliper may feel acceptable when the car is light and then feel noticeably weaker when it is full. Long downhill stretches add to the load. Checking the brakes before a trip, rather than during it, gives you time to fix what turns up.