Brake fade can be caused by?

Brake fade occurs when the braking system becomes less effective due to overheating. This overheating typically happens when the brakes are used continuously or excessively, leading to a rise in temperature beyond the optimal operating range for the brake components. As the brakes heat up, the materials—such as brake pads and rotors—can lose their ability to generate friction, which results in a reduction in stopping power.

When brakes get very hot, the brake fluid may also boil, and the brake pads may become glazed, further contributing to the loss of effective braking. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for drivers to maintain safety on the road, particularly in demanding driving conditions such as downhill descents or when carrying heavy loads.

Other choices pertain to conditions that do not directly cause brake fade. Very cold weather can influence braking effectiveness but does not typically lead to fade, while incorrect brake fluid can certainly affect overall brake performance but is not a direct cause of brake fade. Similarly, while excessive load can strain brakes, it primarily affects the overall demand on the braking system rather than directly causing the overheating associated with brake fade.