Will the brake disc not stop at all if there is engine oil on it?
4 Answers
If there is engine oil on the brake disc, it will not stop at all. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Reduced friction: Modern cars are equipped with ABS. If there is oil on the brake disc, it will cause the brakes to fail to stop, reducing friction and leading to deviation or skidding. When changing the engine oil, if the oil spills onto the belt, the belt will slip. Only by cleaning it off can the slipping be avoided. 2. Brake fluid: It is inherently hydrophilic. After prolonged use, the water content in the brake fluid will increase, causing the boiling point of the brake fluid to decrease. This makes the brake fluid more likely to reach the boiling point, generating bubbles and resulting in brake failure. Moreover, brake fluid that has been used for a long time contains more impurities, which can degrade braking performance or even damage the brake system. Generally, there are warning signs when the brake fluid needs to be replaced. If you notice that the braking force varies between light and heavy, it may be time to replace the brake fluid.
I've been driving for decades and have encountered situations where there's oil on the brake discs, which indeed significantly reduces braking effectiveness. The sticky oil on the discs prevents the brake pads from gripping properly, causing the car to slide forward when braking and increasing the stopping distance considerably. In worst-case scenarios, this could lead to rear-end collisions during emergency braking. This is usually caused by leaking oil seals or accidental spills during maintenance. My advice is to pull over immediately and inspect the brakes if they feel spongy. If the contamination is minor, you can clean it yourself with alcohol; for severe cases, it's necessary to replace the discs and pads. Don't underestimate this oil contamination—it nearly caused me an accident on the highway. Safe driving is not something to take lightly.
As a young car owner, I'm particularly concerned about brake issues. Oil on the disc is like applying a slippery layer of wax - it doesn't make the brakes completely fail, but the effectiveness becomes shockingly poor. When you press the pedal, the car might only slow down slightly, and emergency braking becomes virtually useless. I've personally experienced this - it's manageable on city roads but extremely dangerous on highways. I recommend developing the habit of regularly checking your brake system for any signs of oil leakage, especially being careful not to spill oil onto the discs during oil changes. If you notice any problems, get them repaired immediately - don't risk driving with faulty brakes as life is priceless. Whenever you feel something's not right while driving, pull over immediately to ensure safety comes first.
With years of car enthusiast experience, I fully understand the dangers of oil contamination on brake discs. It forms a lubricating film on the disc surface, significantly reducing friction and leading to decreased braking efficiency. It's not that the brakes completely fail, but stopping distances can potentially double - similar to hydroplaning on wet roads. If your vehicle shows these symptoms (like unresponsive pedal feel), don't force it to drive. Park immediately and thoroughly clean the system with professional brake cleaners while inspecting surrounding oil lines. As an enthusiast, I perform regular brake maintenance to prevent minor issues from becoming major accidents. Safe driving should always be top of mind.
