Brake pad smell after long downhills
Checked pads maybe 5,000 miles ago and pads were about 1/2 left. I leave driveway at 10,380 pds in 2003 Ford f 350 frame. Within spec's but sort of close to max on axles. I warmed up brakes pretty ...
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I see it all the time, cars going down hills in overdrive, the engine at idle, and the drivers riding the brakes all the way down the hill, clueless about what they are doing to the brake rotors and wearing out the pads prematurely.
Downshift!
At least lock out overdrive on the hills where you might need the brakes some of the time. On a road that is curving, and many of the curves are rated at 35 - 45 MPH, then you should be in second gear (of a 4 speed or 3rd gear in a 5 speed) going less than 45 MPH, and let the engine do more of the braking.
As stated above, fading and smelling brake pads mean that a little farther down the hill, or a steeper hill, you might have brake failure, not just brake fade.
Downshift, and everything will be fine.
Some trucks, like the Ford, require using the cruise control to apply the brakes and change gears automatically. Put the truck into the "Tow/Haul" mode, then set the cruise control for say 45 MPH. The truck will downshift, and do it's best (with a exhaust brake on the diesel models) to try to keep speed under control. You should only need the regular brakes to slow from your target speed to 5-10 MPH slower every 30 - 45 seconds.
I don't know how to describe it, but you want a firm brake application. Not quite as firm as braking to a stop at a stop sign, but more like the less firm, you might use when you see the stop sign 75' in front of you and are slowing from 25 to a stop.
A application such as a panic stop will heat up the brakes very quickly at 55 MPH or higher. Even a firm stop, such as the brake application pressure that might be required when someone steps out 30 feet in front of you into a crosswalk would be a little to much pressure.
Good luck, and you will find that the brakes will not heat up nearly as much once you start locking out overdrive, and you will be comfortable driving down the hills from now on!
Fred.
Downshift!
At least lock out overdrive on the hills where you might need the brakes some of the time. On a road that is curving, and many of the curves are rated at 35 - 45 MPH, then you should be in second gear (of a 4 speed or 3rd gear in a 5 speed) going less than 45 MPH, and let the engine do more of the braking.
As stated above, fading and smelling brake pads mean that a little farther down the hill, or a steeper hill, you might have brake failure, not just brake fade.
Downshift, and everything will be fine.
Some trucks, like the Ford, require using the cruise control to apply the brakes and change gears automatically. Put the truck into the "Tow/Haul" mode, then set the cruise control for say 45 MPH. The truck will downshift, and do it's best (with a exhaust brake on the diesel models) to try to keep speed under control. You should only need the regular brakes to slow from your target speed to 5-10 MPH slower every 30 - 45 seconds.
I don't know how to describe it, but you want a firm brake application. Not quite as firm as braking to a stop at a stop sign, but more like the less firm, you might use when you see the stop sign 75' in front of you and are slowing from 25 to a stop.
A application such as a panic stop will heat up the brakes very quickly at 55 MPH or higher. Even a firm stop, such as the brake application pressure that might be required when someone steps out 30 feet in front of you into a crosswalk would be a little to much pressure.
Good luck, and you will find that the brakes will not heat up nearly as much once you start locking out overdrive, and you will be comfortable driving down the hills from now on!
Fred.
