Title kinda says it all. Although I should say I do not think this is “normal” cold weather behavior. I have lived in cold climates most of my life and this is a first.
When I get in my car and start driving the brakes squeak loudly. A few minutes later and no problem…no squeaking at all.
I know squeaky brakes are a sign they need repair but I am not sure in this case since they stop squeaking.
ETA: The weather has been particularly cold here recently. -1 F (give or take).
my guess is that high humidity creeping into the brake pads and cooking off after a few brakes?
This is not necessarily true, brakes tend to squeak almost by design and lots go into trying to make them not do it. And in that there is nothing harmful about the squeak.
However there is a wear indicator that some brakes have that will squeak. The happening in the cold only sounds this may be the case and your wear indicator may be just contacting the rotor. If this is true and you keep driving it will continue to happen more and more when hot too. If that is the case there is no harm in waiting for this to happen.
What is an indicator that your brakes need changing is grinding. This means that the brake material is gone to a point that its metal backing is contacting the rotor. If this happens you need to change the rotor too, however may shops will change rotors as part of brake service anyway.
What it could indicate is a partly stuck caliper, which means that you need a more extensive brake service.
I’ve always assumed that virtually all brakes have this feature. Am I wrong?
mmm
Yes you are wrong, many do not. Also some may have it on one set but not the other (front vs back). And this indicator is almost always only on one pad per wheel but brakes have 2 pads per wheel, so it is possible for one side to wear faster. Also many aftermarket brake pads have the clip that would have to be installed onto the pad instead of preinstalled, and some mechanics simply do not do this step. In short unless you know you have them you can’t assume you do.
As mentioned by others, it could be the wear indicator. If it is, it means the pads should be replaced soon.
If it’s not the wear indicator, it could be due to aftermarket pads that are too hard. OEM pads shouldn’t squeak loudly.
I have a new car and there’s a squeak when it’s been sitting overnight after a wet day. Some cars have that happen and the sound goes away if you use the brakes a few times and they dry out. Not an issue.
A grinding noise that doesn’t stop is a big concern.
I second this. Happens with my new car too. It’s the moisture freezing on the brake pads and taking a bit to evaporate
The way I understand it the wear indicator will have a more consistent high pitched scraping sound, the squeaking can happen if its poorly lubricated. I think lubrication is something that people can do more of to reduce heat and prolong the life of their brake pads. Something like this is good for cold weather: Permatex Ceramic Extreme Brake Parts Lubricant
If it’s the wear indicator, the bakes will squeak or chirp when NOT depressed, and the sound will stop when the brakes are applied.
Note that the brake lube is not actually applied to the business-end of the bake pads!
Brake lube is used on the caliper pins and on the back of the brake pads, where they contact the caliper cylinder or bracket. Getting lube on the front of the pads is dangerous.
What are your thoughts on brake grease?
I use the purple stuff.
(Which is what you suggested). I just did the brakes on my wife’s Jetta. Talk about a PITA!
We have 3 vehicles and all of them are up to date on maintenance and brakes have been inspected. All of them kept in the same garage. With this cold weather we’ve been having ALL THREE have their brakes squeal when when backing out of the garage. And by the time we get to the end of the street they are fine again.
Yeah, that’s just surface rust being removed.
Is it just me or does brake lubricant seem an oxymoron?
I think that might be the reason some manufacturers call it “Anti-squeal."
OK. I’ve actually work in a shop, albeit, it was an army motor poll, but we worked on domestic light trucks, and each other’s cars. (If the other choice was sitting around, because there literally was nothing else to do, the 1st SGT would OK it, because it kept us “in practice.”)
If it’s been extremely cold, ANYTHING can make noise. Moisture collects everywhere, and while it freezes at 32 degrees F, it melts very quickly when you start the car if it’s over about 20. When it’s in the negatives, though, it takes a bit, and the bigger the vehicle, the longer it takes.
Regarding the brakes, the higher-pitched the squeal, the less likely it is to be worrisome.
If you are still worried, though, you can either take the wheels off yourself, and see how much brakepad is left, and also see that the caliper is in the normal “off” position.
Or you can take it to a brake shop with free estimates. They will be honest with you. They are legally obligated to be, and in my experience, they are. If you are worried, go to a chain. Chains are a lot bigger on following the rules than one-off places, because chains don’t want a single dishonest Firestone in Kentucky to make people doubt Firestones all over the country. And the hourly people who do the estimates have no investment in how much work is procured, so have no reason to lie.