Car Tuning Braking System Upgrades 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary advantage of slotted rotors over smooth rotors in a performance braking upgrade?
- They weigh less than smooth rotors
- They help expel gases, heat, and debris from the pad surface (Correct answer)
- They increase rotor thickness for more thermal mass
- They reduce brake fade by lowering rotor temperature
Correct answer: They help expel gases, heat, and debris from the pad surface
Slots channel gases, heat, and debris away from the pad contact surface, maintaining consistent bite.
Question 2: A driver notices their brake pedal feels spongy after installing a big brake kit. What is the most likely cause?
- The new calipers have too many pistons
- Air trapped in the brake lines during installation (Correct answer)
- The brake pads are not yet bedded in
- The master cylinder is too large for the new calipers
Correct answer: Air trapped in the brake lines during installation
Air in the hydraulic system is compressible, causing a spongy pedal that requires proper bleeding to fix.
Question 3: Which brake fluid specification is recommended for track use due to its high dry boiling point?
- DOT 3
- DOT 4
- DOT 5
- DOT 5.1 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: DOT 5.1
DOT 5.1 has a high dry boiling point (around 500°F) and is glycol-based, making it compatible with ABS systems unlike silicone-based DOT 5.
Question 4: When upgrading to a larger rotor diameter, what other component must also be upgraded to accommodate the change?
- The brake master cylinder
- The brake caliper and caliper bracket (Correct answer)
- The ABS wheel speed sensor
- The brake booster
Correct answer: The brake caliper and caliper bracket
Larger rotors require matching calipers and new brackets to properly position the caliper over the rotor.
Question 5: What does the term 'brake fade' refer to in performance driving?
- The gradual wearing of brake pads over time
- A reduction in braking force caused by overheating of pads or fluid (Correct answer)
- The squealing noise produced during hard braking
- Uneven rotor wear creating pulsation
Correct answer: A reduction in braking force caused by overheating of pads or fluid
Brake fade occurs when excessive heat causes pad compounds to outgas or boils the fluid, reducing hydraulic pressure and stopping power.
Question 6: What is the purpose of bedding in new brake pads and rotors?
- To harden the metal surface of the rotor
- To transfer a thin, even layer of pad material onto the rotor surface (Correct answer)
- To remove the protective coating from the rotor
- To seat the caliper pistons fully into their bores
Correct answer: To transfer a thin, even layer of pad material onto the rotor surface
Bedding deposits a uniform transfer film of friction material onto the rotor, optimizing performance and reducing noise.
Question 7: A two-piece floating rotor design with an aluminum hat is commonly used in performance applications primarily because:
- It is cheaper to manufacture than a single-piece rotor
- It reduces unsprung weight while allowing thermal expansion (Correct answer)
- It provides more surface area for pad contact
- It prevents rotor warping by using two different metals
Correct answer: It reduces unsprung weight while allowing thermal expansion
The aluminum hat reduces unsprung weight, and the floating design allows the iron ring to expand thermally without warping.
Car Tuning Braking System Upgrades 2
What is the primary advantage of slotted rotors over smooth rotors in a performance braking upgrade?