What action should you take if you experience brake fade?

Experiencing brake fade indicates that the braking system is overheating and losing effectiveness, typically due to prolonged or excessive braking, which can occur on long downgrades or during aggressive driving. The best action to mitigate brake fade is to reduce speed and allow the brakes to cool down. By easing off the accelerator and allowing the vehicle to slow down gradually, you help to alleviate the temperature build-up in the brake components, restoring their functionality over time.

Using the vehicle's engine to slow down, such as downshifting or coasting, can help reduce reliance on the brakes while they cool. This process is essential for maintaining control of the vehicle and ensuring safety. By managing speed in this way, you minimize the chances of a brake failure that might occur if the brakes remain overheated.

Engaging in abrupt actions like stopping suddenly or increasing speed would likely exacerbate the situation, potentially leading to a loss of vehicle control or further overheating the brakes. Similarly, using the emergency brake without careful consideration could lead to skidding or loss of control if the primary brake system is already compromised. Therefore, allowing the brakes to cool through a gradual reduction in speed is the safest and most effective course of action when experiencing brake fade.