What is the difference between hydraulic brakes and disc brakes?
2 Answers
The differences between hydraulic brakes and disc brakes are: 1. Different transmission methods: Hydraulic brakes use high-density mineral oil instead of steel wires. By pulling the brake lever to compress the space inside the line, the oil pressure increases to press the brake caliper; Disc brakes rely on pulling the steel wire connected between the brake lever and the brake pad to tighten and drive the brake caliper to close. 2. Different brake lever structures: The hydraulic brake lever is squeezed and closed; The disc brake lever is operated by pulling the wire, and the wire inside can be seen. 3. Different composition methods: Hydraulic brakes consist of the master cylinder, slave cylinder, oil cup, and connecting pipelines; Disc brakes consist of a brake disc and a brake caliper.
Oil brakes are actually part of the entire braking system, which uses brake fluid to transmit pressure through the lines. When you press the brake pedal, it pushes the fluid in the master cylinder, which then sends the pressure to the calipers. The calipers clamp the disc to slow down the wheels. Disc brakes refer to the combination of the metal rotor and caliper—they dissipate heat quickly and are less prone to overheating, making them especially stable during downhill driving. This difference gives me more confidence in daily driving because disc brakes respond swiftly, preventing skidding, unlike drum brakes that age faster. For maintenance, oil brakes require regular fluid changes to prevent air bubbles, while disc brake pads can be replaced more conveniently. Though both usually work together in modern cars, always check the braking system before driving in the rain—safety first.
