How to bed in brake pads
Bedding in brakes means heating new pads and rotors through a series of firm stops so a thin, even layer of pad material transfers onto the rotor. It gives smooth, consistent bite and helps prevent judder and fade. Always follow your pad maker’s procedure first; the steps here are a common general method.
- Bed new pads (and new rotors) before your track day, not in the first session.
- Several firm stops from moderate speed, without coming to a complete stop, then a long cool-down.
- Never sit with the brake held on hot rotors: it can imprint pad material and cause judder.
- Fade feels like a longer, softer pedal or less bite for the same push. Back off and cool the brakes.
A common bedding procedure
Track pads often have their own procedure with higher temperatures. Use the manufacturer’s instructions if they differ.
- 1Find a safe, legal place with no traffic, or use a track’s designated area with permission.
- 2Make 6–10 firm (not panic) stops from about 60 mph down to about 10 mph. Don’t come to a complete stop and don’t lock up.
- 3Leave some distance between stops so the pads heat progressively. You may smell the pads; that’s normal.
- 4Drive for several minutes with as little braking as possible to cool everything down.
- 5Avoid holding the brake pedal on hot rotors: roll to a stop, use the parking brake only if safe, or keep the car moving.
Brake fade: what it is and what to do
Fade is a loss of braking performance as the system overheats. Pad fade feels like a firm pedal with less stopping power. Fluid fade (boiling brake fluid) feels like a long, soft pedal that sinks further than usual. Both are serious.
If you feel fade, brake earlier, leave a bigger margin, and take a cool-down lap with minimal braking before pitting. Fresh, high-boiling-point fluid and track-rated pads are the usual fixes, and your tech inspection checks for both.
FAQ
Do I need to bed in new rotors too?
Yes. New rotors and new pads both need bedding so a consistent transfer layer forms.
Can I bed brakes on the track?
Some organizers allow it in a designated session or area. Ask first. Never do it in a run group with other cars at speed.
How do I know the bedding worked?
The rotor face shows an even, light grey tint, and the pedal feels consistent from stop to stop.
- Brake fade: causes, signs and fixesBrake fade is lost braking as the system overheats. Pad fade vs fluid boil vs green fade, what each feels like, and how fluid, cooling and technique fix it.
- Track tire pressures: hot vs coldTire pressures rise as tires heat on track. How to set cold pressures to hit a hot target, measure as you come off, bleed correctly and stay consistent.
- Brake bias explainedBrake bias is the front/rear split of braking force. Why cars are front-biased, how proportioning and ABS manage it, and how bias affects rotation.