Braking power

[CyberGus]

...Overly specific narrow definitions do not match how people use language.

Anyone not an expert experiencing 'brake fade' will only really know braking power was reduced, and wouldn't know the cause. In fact, assuming one cause for a narrow definition results in bad diagnostics, if there was another cause confounding performance.

-Crissa

I agree that we're just having an issue with semantics. In racing/autocrossing/performance circles, "brake fade" is a known expression. One might assume this term carries that specific meaning when used on a forum of automotive enthusiasts. Thus, the minor misunderstanding.

I previously got the chance to take laps with my car on a race track, and to keep it interesting the backside straightaway was fitted with slalom gates. So I'd be over 100PMH coming out of the banked turn when I'd need to slam on the brakes to make it through the slalom. By about the 3rd lap, I had to stand on the brakes with both feet and I still murdered a whole line of innocent safety cones. The brakes were just too hot.

Sponsored

 

[Crissa]

I know it has a specific racing or trucking meaning. But it's bad form to use the specific meaning when diagnosing a vehicle of unknown condition, though.

-Crissa

 

[DumpsterFire]

By definition the term "brake fade" is heat related. There is no other way brakes can experience "brake fade". So either you are using the term "brake fade" improperly, or you were talking about heat related brake fade.

Which is it? How were your brakes fading if not from excessive heat buildup? In other words, what the hell are you talking about?

Let it go, dude.

 

[TallRides]

I think I've seen three youtubes where people specifically called out the weak brakes. Hoping it gets fixed when they put out the real/non-FS version.

I don't have my CT yet but am on the active list! I did buy a Model S Plaid 3 years ago and the first drive out on a busy freeway I needed to stop "quickly" and was disappointed. I immediately ordered ceramic disks for the front and that really solved the problem. BUT, before the new brakes arrived my factory brakes had broken in and worked much better. I guess all (most?) brakes need their disks and pads to mate with a bit of friction before they perform well. This could be the problem with the CT.

 

[rowan]

Had this exact problem today. Emergency brake at a light, took 2 more car lengths to stop than I anticipated. Pushed hard and it felt like they stopped giving more power. Like brake fade.

 

[HaulingAss]

Had this exact problem today. Emergency brake at a light, took 2 more car lengths to stop than I anticipated. Pushed hard and it felt like they stopped giving more power. Like brake fade.

Today I took my Cybertruck Dual Motor down a steep, curvy 8% mountain grade fully loaded to GVWR with firewood and I didn't even need to use the friction brakes. Yesterday I tested the braking performance from 100 mph to zero, twice within 2 minutes and the brakes brought the tires to their adhesion limits for the full duration of the two braking events, without a hint of brake fade. The tires were scrubbing on the pavement the whole way to zero and the brakes felt fine. I did have to press harder than on most modern passenger cars, but it was not anywhere close to being a physical challenge, it simply required a firmer pressure than a passenger car. I repeat, there was no brake fade, even after two back to back 100 mph full braking events.

So, either Tesla equipped my Cybertruck with better brakes than certain other assumed owners have, or, it's just made up BS, my money is on the latter. The brakes are plenty stout.

I'm sure on a racetrack, with more consecutive hard braking events the brakes would experience brake fade simply because all production cars and trucks experience brake fade when used excessively, like on a racetrack. But I don't see this as a problem, especially not on the Cybertruck that rarely requires the friction brakes to be used at all.

 

[Crissa]

It's a big truck. Even with maximum stopping power, it's going to take space to stop.

-Crissa

 

[rowan]

Hello!

you’re insinuating I’m a troll posting BS

I’m no troll. I’m a loyal Tesla owner having owned almost every model since model S foundation series and I’m a happy Cybertruck owner

I’m glad to hear your brakes are working. On my truck I am experiencing what *feels like* brake fade… I saw two other posts saying effectively the same thing and this symptom seemed severe enough that I decided to post here to see if anyone else is experiencing this

I’m planning to have it checked out just in case.

 

[SentinelOne]

Talked to one of the reputable Tesla tuners I have bought stuff for my model 3P from (coil overs & other suspension components, etc). They said the brake feel is ok but the brakes are undersized for the weight (esp vs. Rivian)- basically that it looked like they went small to clear 18" rims. In any event they'll develop a kit and I'll be first in line if I feel my truck needs them! (TBD, day 77 and counting)

Does seem a few have pedal feel / other issues, many don't - new truck, shouldn't doubt there could be issues. Especially since Tesla isn't know for over capable brakes overall...

 

[Crissa]

Talked to one of the reputable Tesla tuners I have bought stuff for my model 3P from (coil overs & other suspension components, etc). They said the brake feel is ok but the brakes are undersized for the weight (esp vs. Rivian)- basically that...

...They have no idea what they're talking about?

Because the Rivian is several hundred pounds heavier. It needs those brakes to stop in the same distance.

Braking tests have them in about the same distance.

??‍

±3 feet or <2.5% isn't significant compared to reaction time.

-Crissa

 

[pricedm]

It's a big truck. Even with maximum stopping power, it's going to take space to stop.

-Crissa

Amen. I've been driving an ICE pickup for the last week. Brakes absolutely suck compared to my Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (and Volvo XC70). Mass is the issue. Bigger brakes might help, but mass in motion....

 

[Nobell32]

I agree with the braking power being underwhelming. This is really my only issue with the CB. It’s something that I keep in mind when I drive but luckily I have experience driving my lifted 73 blazer which takes a lot of anticipation to get to a stop.
If there is any upgrade I look forward to in the future is braking power that matches (relatively) the power of the CB.

Edit: I do agree that mass is part of the issue but I have a Yukon XL which is also a huge boat and braking is not a concern.

 

[Crissa]

Edit: I do agree that mass is part of the issue but I have a Yukon XL which is also a huge boat and braking is not a concern.

The Yukon XL weighs a thousand pounds less and tends to rate with a stopping distance 2.5% worse than the Cybertruck.

-Crissa

 

[HaulingAss]

I agree with the braking power being underwhelming. This is really my only issue with the CB. It’s something that I keep in mind when I drive but luckily I have experience driving my lifted 73 blazer which takes a lot of anticipation to get to a stop.
If there is any upgrade I look forward to in the future is braking power that matches (relatively) the power of the CB.

Edit: I do agree that mass is part of the issue but I have a Yukon XL which is also a huge boat and braking is not a concern.

The brakes on mine bring the tires to threshold braking without issue, even from two consecutive 100 mph stops on clean, dry grippy pavement. The mass is what the mass is, if you want to stop faster, you need stickier rubber. Period. Bigger brakes will not make the tires grip more. The brakes are plenty stout to bring even stickier rubber than the OEM AT tires to threshold braking so I'm having trouble understanding why people say the truck needs bigger brakes. I never even use friction brakes unless it's to test them out or something unexpected happens. Then they instantly bring the tires to threshold braking.

If the brakes were not adequate, you could not get the ABS to engage all the way to a stop. Unless you are talking about driving on a road race course with repeated high-speed heavy braking/accelerations. And then there is not a truck out there that couldn't use bigger brakes with more thermal capacity.

Threshold braking is threshold braking. What more do you want from the brakes? Either some Cybertrucks have defective brakes or some owners don't know how to push a brake pedal. If you think there is a problem, by all means, have Tesla check your brakes. But people saying the Cybertruck needs bigger brakes for use on public roads don't know what they are talking about. All bigger brakes will provide is more thermal capacity for more consecutive high speed braking events. Im having trouble understanding when that might be necessary. Even when I'm loaded to GVWR and descending steep grades the friction brakes are not even used.

Sponsored