Applying oil to the friction surfaces of car brakes is extremely dangerous and will prevent them from working correctly, leading to a loss of stopping power. However, specific types of lubricants, not necessarily 'oil' in the general sense, are sometimes applied to certain parts of the brake system to reduce noise or prevent seizing, but never to the part that actually stops the car.
Understanding Brake Lubrication
It's critical to understand which parts of a brake system require lubrication and which absolutely must remain clean and dry.
Where Lubrication Might Be Applied
Contrary to applying 'oil' broadly, specific high-temperature lubricants designed for brake systems can be applied to certain contact points:
- The Backside of Brake Pads: As referenced, "apply a thin layer of lubricant to the backside of the pad, where it comes into contact with the caliper piston". This is done to help prevent noise (like squealing) by allowing the pad to move slightly and dampen vibrations.
- Caliper Slide Pins: These pins allow the caliper to move freely, which is essential for even pad wear and proper braking. They require a specific high-temperature grease.
- Contact Points: Other metal-on-metal contact points, like the ears of the brake pads where they sit in the caliper bracket, may benefit from a thin layer of brake lubricant.
Where Lubrication Must Never Be Applied
This is the most important point regarding the question "Can you oil car brakes?":
- The Friction Surface: "Be very careful to not apply lube to the friction side of the pad. That is where the stopping power comes from, and lubricant would cause your brakes to simply stop working." Any oil, grease, or lubricant on the rotor or the pad's friction material will severely reduce or eliminate the ability to stop the vehicle, creating a serious safety hazard.
Why Lubrication on Friction Surfaces is Dangerous
Brakes work by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy through friction. The friction material on the brake pads presses against the rotor, creating the force needed to slow the vehicle.
- Reduced Friction: Oil or lubricant drastically reduces the friction between the pad and rotor.
- Loss of Stopping Power: With significantly less friction, the brakes cannot generate enough force to stop the car effectively, regardless of how hard the brake pedal is pressed.
- Brake Fade: Even if some minimal stopping power remains, the lubricant can heat up, causing unpredictable and rapidly decreasing performance.
Best Practices for Brake Maintenance
Proper brake maintenance involves understanding where lubrication is needed and using the correct type of brake-specific lubricant.
- Always use lubricants specifically designed for brake components (often high-temperature synthetic grease).
- Keep brake pads and rotors free of any oil, grease, or contaminants.
- If pads or rotors become contaminated with oil, they often need to be replaced as cleaning is difficult and not always effective.
Component | Can Lubricant Be Applied? | Type of Lubricant | Purpose |
---|---|---|---|
Friction Side of Pad | NO | Never | Causes complete loss of stopping power |
Rotor (Brake Disc) | NO | Never | Causes complete loss of stopping power |
Backside of Pad | Yes (thin layer) | High-temperature brake lubricant/grease | Reduce noise (squealing), allow slight movement |
Caliper Slide Pins | Yes | High-temperature brake caliper pin grease | Allow caliper movement |
Pad Contact Points | Yes (thin layer) | High-temperature brake lubricant/grease | Prevent seizing, reduce noise |
In conclusion, while specific parts of the brake system require lubrication for proper function and noise reduction, applying 'oil' or lubricant to the components responsible for creating friction (pads and rotors) is dangerous and will render the brakes ineffective.