Is it safe to ride with deformed rotors?

The rotors are part of the disc brakes that allow your car to stop while moving. If the rotors are deformed, your vehicle will not be able to stop properly in an emergency. It can be dangerous if...

The rotors are part of the disc brakes that allow your car to stop while moving. If the rotors are deformed, your vehicle will not be able to stop properly in an emergency. This can be dangerous if you need to stop to avoid a car accident, pedestrian or other traffic situation. As soon as you begin to realize that the brakes are not working properly, you should contact a mechanic and ask him to check if the rotors are warped.

There are many steps you can take if you find your rotors are warped. If you ride with deformed rotors, the following should be considered:

• Rotors wear out over time, which can reduce their reliability. The braking system such as brake discs, calipers and pads should be checked regularly as they wear out.

• One of the dangers of deformed rotors is increased stopping time. Even if the surface is smooth, the vehicle will still take longer to stop. If the deformed rotor is on the vehicle's drive axle, your vehicle's stopping time will be more noticeable.

• A deformed rotor can lead to temporary brake failure. A deformed rotor causes the brake pads to wobble back and forth, causing the brake fluid to foam and prevent the brake system from receiving proper hydraulic pressure. If you temporarily lose control of your brakes, it could result in a collision with vehicles around you.

• While driving, if you feel vibration in the brake pedals, this may be a sign that you have a deformed rotor. Sometimes the vibration can be felt with only slight application of the brake, while other times it takes more force to feel the vibration. In any case, as soon as you feel it, contact a mechanic so that he can fix the problem.

• Brake noise is another sign that your rotors may be warped. This is because the rotors will contact the brake pads unevenly. The noise may sound like a thud or a high-pitched hum.

If you suspect you have warped rotors or failed brakes, it is important that you do not drive your vehicle and contact a mechanic immediately. Riding with deformed rotors can potentially lead to brake failure, which could result in injury to you and others. To protect yourself and those around you, fix your warped rotor problem before you get back on the road.