Parking Brake Fade is caused by which condition?

• A. Overheating brakes
• B. Excess lubricant on rotor
• C. Engine misfire
• D. Driving with parking brake engaged

Answer: (D)

Parking brake fade happens when the braking surface overheats from being applied for too long. The parking brake uses shoes or pads that clamp onto a drum or rotor. If you drive with the parking brake still engaged, those surfaces stay in contact and heat up continuously. The excessive heat can cause the friction material to glaze or the components to warp, lowering the friction and making the brakes feel ineffective. So, driving with the parking brake engaged is the direct reason for fade in this system. Other scenarios might cause brake fade in general or affect braking differently—overheating brakes can fade, excess lubricant can skate the surface and reduce friction, and an engine misfire changes power rather than the parking brake’s grip.