How can you tell when your brakes are fading?

When your brakes are fading, one of the key indicators is that you need to push harder on the brake pedal to control your speed, especially when descending a downgrade. This occurs because the brake components are overheating and losing their effectiveness. Overheating can happen during continuous braking situations, such as on long steep hills, where the brakes are applied frequently without sufficient cooling time. As the brake system becomes less responsive, more pressure is required to achieve the same level of braking force. Recognizing this change in pedal feel is crucial for a driver, as it can directly affect vehicle control and safety.

Other indicators, such as skidding when the brakes are applied, a warning light illuminating on the dashboard, or unusual noises, may also suggest brake issues. However, requiring additional effort to apply the brakes effectively over a descent is a primary symptom of fading brakes and is important for drivers to monitor during operation.