Why slotted brake rotors

And because of the constant shaving action, brake pad life may be shorter than if they were mated with blank rotors. Slotted rotors are available for many vehicle types, even economy vehicles.

Image via Flickr. Ben has been taking things apart since he was 5, and putting them back together again since he was 8. Now, he writes on automotive topics across the web and around the world, including new automotive technology, transportation legislation, emissions, fuel economy and auto repair.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Energy Conversion in the Brake System The brake system is an energy conversion device. Some use old-style rear drum brakes for that reason. Heat Dissipation : To dissipate heat faster, most vehicles are equipped with ventilated front rotors, using airflow to transfer heat to the air.

Not valid on previous or pending purchases. Other restrictions may. Brake rotors come in many different types. Before you can purchase a fresh set of brake rotors, you must understand each of these different types, what sets them apart, and what are the pros and cons of every style.

The four kinds of brake rotors are:. Because the names of the different brake rotors styles accurately describe what each of the styles looks like, you can easily tell what kind of brake rotor you have on your car at even if you are new to auto maintenance and have never ordered brake parts before. After you have reviewed the styles of brake rotors and can tell each of them apart, you must learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each style for the type of car you have.

Since every car is different, what is fine for your light truck may not work very well for your sports car and vice versa. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain, drilled rotors are a very good choice. The bite is better with these brake rotors because the drilled holes give the water a place to escape, thus drying off the braking system components when water is present.

Less water means a better bite and improved brake rotor performance. While drilled rotors have a lot to recommend them, they can wear unevenly and may develop cracks when used in racing vehicles due to the heat and temperature extremes of a race. Drilled brake rotors also tend to wear in concentric grooved styles, which can look funny when the rotors are aged if the drilled hole patterns are not staggered.

While this does not impact the performance of the brake rotors, it can affect the vehicle aesthetic and sensitive drivers may prefer to select a different style of brake rotor or else change out their rotors more often. Drilled rotors are also a poor choice for race cars. They cannot withstand repeated heat and cool cycles very well, and will fail sooner rather than later as a result. Drilled brake rotors are fine for general use in street vehicles. Why Choose Slotted Rotors?

Slotted rotors work very well for heavy trucks, SUVs, off road vehicles, tow trucks, and competition cars. Brake pads work better at lower temperatures, and you reduce the risk of pulsating brakes as well. Slotted rotors do not improve any heat transfer.

However, the slots can improve brake output by removing gas and dust that is trapped between the pad and rotor. This gas and dust reduces the friction force by preventing the pad from fully contacting the rotor. However, for track racing high speed stops , slotted rotors are the better choice.

Find the right brake kit for your vehicle! Viewing PowerStop Pro Site. Switch to Consumer Site. Brake Finder. Match Your Vehicle. Your Vehicle. The Science Behind Heat Transfer in Rotors Drill holes and slots in rotors can both improve braking, but under different braking scenarios.