brakes are glazed Page 561

Glazed brakes are pads (and sometimes rotors) that have gone glossy from heat and gentle use, so they squeal and slide instead of biting. The pedal often feels firm but stopping power is about as eager as a sloth on Sunday.

• Squeal or chirp at light brake pressure, shiny pad surface, and longer stopping distances
• Cause: overheating from long descents, riding the brakes, or incorrect bedding of new pads
• Fix: do 6–8 hard stops from 80–20 km/h to re-bed; if still glazed, remove pads and lightly sand, scuff rotors, replace pads if heat-cracked

If a caliper is sticking or a slide pin is dry, glazing comes back—service the hardware and consider higher-temp pads (about AUD $80–$250 for a basic set). Consult a professional if the pedal feels soft or the car pulls under braking.