Improving Your Car

If you have a pickup truck and typically use your vehicle to haul heavy loads, then performance and safety may mean quite a bit to you. The braking system on your truck ensures your safety, and you will need to complete maintenance tasks so your braking system remains in top shape. One of these tasks involves changing the rotors. Most rotors need to be changed every 15,000 to 70,000 miles, and you will need to change them more often if you have aggressive brake pads. Choosing the right rotors for your truck is essential, so keep reading to learn about a few types you should choose from.

Slotted Rotors

The vast majority of rotors on the market today are smooth varieties that are constructed out of a solid piece of steel. These rotors have a maximum surface area for good contact with brake pads. However, the solid rotors are not good at dissipating gasses that can build just underneath the brake pads. This is a concern if you brake heavy and hard, and this is common with heavier vehicles and loads. The buildup of the gasses can cause something called pad glazing. Glazing occurs when the brake pads overheat and become smooth. The smooth surface reduces the friction between the rotors and the pads and this can cause performance and safety issues. 

Slotted rotors have long grooves that run along the surface of the steel to help gasses release. This keeps the brake pads in good condition while also allowing for a large surface area across the rotor. 

Drilled Rotors

If you commonly haul heavy loads with your vehicle, off road, and drive in construction zones, then overheating brakes may not be your only issue. Dirt and debris that clings to your rotors and your brake pads may be a concern. Dirt and debris build up can cause braking inconsistency, screeching brakes, and poor pad longevity. 

Drilled rotors feature a series of holes along the rotors to help dirt, debris, and gas release from the pads and the rotors. However, you should know that the drilled rotors do have a greater chance of cracking under high levels of heat. This means that the rotors should be checked regularly and changed if a crack develop. While this is true, the holes to allow for better temperature control, so overheating should not be an issue unless you place your truck under extreme conditions.

If you want to know more about rotors or other parts for your truck, speak to a vehicle parts specialist. such as at Godfrey Brake Service & Supply.