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Why do brakes squeal when they are cold?
I live in a cold climate, and every morning my brakes squeal the first few times I use them. Why is this happening, and should I be concerned?
Jim Burg · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
No one likes it when their brakes squeal—it’s jarring and makes you feel like you’re waking up the whole neighborhood.
Thankfully, brakes that squeal when they are cold are nothing to be afraid of concerning the integrity of your brakes or the safety of your car.
Here’s what’s happening: once the temperature drops below freezing, a minuscule layer of ice can form on your
brake pads
. When you use them for the first time in the morning, the squealing noise you hear is your brakes and rotors wearing away at that frozen layer. Once your brakes heat up after you use them once or twice, this layer will be gone along with your squealing noises.This effect is exacerbated when you drive through
snow
, ice, or puddles. The thicker the layer of accumulation, the longer it will take to wear away. In some situations, this water can create a temporary layer of rust on your rotors, which needs to be scrubbed away by your brake pads.The most important thing to know is that this is all normal and safe. Your braking power is not affected by this—instead, it’s just a minor annoyance.
Speaking of annoying, have you ever filled out car insurance forms? Then you know how miserable it can be.
Jerry
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