Questions and Answers
How Hot Is Hot?
Q. What is the normal operating temperature for front disc brakes? Should the rotors get "HOT" during normal running with little or no braking?
I have a Hyundai that the front rotors seems to be very HOT after 30 or 40 minutes of operation. Is this normal for disc brakes?
Thanks for your reply.
EdA. As with any brake system, disc brakes converts the forward motion of the vehicle into heat by pressing the brake pads against the rotors. So for the front brakes to be hot is normal. How hot depends on the type of rotors used. A solid rotor will run hoter than a vaned rotor. Some racing rotors have slots or holes drilled into them to improve heat dissipation. A lot of stock factory vehicles have air guides to guide air around the brakes to help cool them.
Since there is always a slight drag on the rotors by the brake pads there is always some friction turning into heat even though there is a minimal amount of braking being done. So if you need a specific temperature, I'm afraid I can't give you one. If you think there is an abnormal amount of heat being generated, it may be because the calipers are not fully releasing. It wouldn't hurt to have them checked.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA