What is the difference between ventilated discs and solid discs?
2 Answers
The differences between ventilated discs and solid discs: 1. Different application positions: Ventilated disc brakes are primarily used on all four wheels; solid disc brakes mainly function on the rear wheels. 2. Different structures and materials: Ventilated disc brakes have many more process holes compared to solid disc brakes. Ventilated disc brakes are lighter in weight than solid disc brakes, but their manufacturing process and price are more expensive. Ventilated discs have a ventilation function, meaning the centrifugal force generated while the car is moving can create air convection, achieving the purpose of heat dissipation, which is determined by the special construction of the ventilated disc. The operation of solid disc brakes is similar to that of ordinary bicycle brakes, where the brake pads on the calipers interact with the brake disc connected to the wheel during braking until the wheel stops rotating.
The difference between solid discs and ventilated discs mainly lies in structural design and heat dissipation performance. As an ordinary car owner who has driven multiple family cars, I've learned that solid discs are simply solid metal discs without internal channels, like the ones on my old car's rear wheels. During daily driving under low-speed or light-load conditions, solid discs perform stably, are simple and cheap to maintain, and have longer replacement intervals. However, during high-speed driving or long downhill sections on mountain roads, the brakes heat up quickly, leading to reduced braking power. Ventilated discs have internal gaps or air channels that allow rapid heat dissipation with higher cooling efficiency. When I drive cars with ventilated discs on trips, the brakes feel more reliable with shorter stopping distances. For regular city commuting, solid discs are sufficient, but for long-distance or performance driving, ventilated discs are recommended.
