Possible Brake Dust?

adamwmcanally · 10-01-2006, 08:54 PM

Just put the first 100 miles on my new 06 this weekend, and when we got back back home I noticed a black dust on the bottom panel behind the front two tires. It wiped right off, but am wondering if this is normal. This is my first new car, and have never noticed this on another car. It wasn't on the panels behind the back wheels so I dont think it was something I drove through. Any ideas?

eagle33199 · 10-02-2006, 09:58 AM

IMO, i wouldn't worry about it just yet... So long as the car is handling fine, then you probably don't have a problem. It's something to maybe keep an eye on, see if it comes up again, but not something to fret about.

Pinto Girl · 10-03-2006, 08:14 PM

Might be the compound the dealer uses to make the tires all shiny and black. Sometimes centrifugal force flings it onto the fenders; perhaps it's collecting dust...?

I think brake dust usually deposits on the wheels themselves.

galaxee · 10-04-2006, 12:06 AM

do you have mudflaps? could be road dirt kicking up

Bill Merchant · 10-04-2006, 12:34 AM

Hi adammc, welcome to PriusChat. I don't know what the dust you see is, but it very likely NOT brake dust. With regerative braking down to about 7 MPH, the Prius is very gentle on the brakes. Just guessing, I'd bet it was road dust stuck in the silicone goo from the tires. Cornering puts the trailing edge of the tire outside the envelope of the body, so it is easier for goo flying off to hit the front fenders than flying goo off the back tires.

Don't worry about it unless you're getting really bad MPG. Then it might be brake dust from misadjusted brakes.

adamwmcanally · 10-04-2006, 09:21 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Oct 3 2006, 11:34 PM) [snapback]327711[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi adammc, welcome to PriusChat. I don't know what the dust you see is, but it very likely NOT brake dust. With regerative braking down to about 7 MPH, the Prius is very gentle on the brakes. Just guessing, I'd bet it was road dust stuck in the silicone goo from the tires. Cornering puts the trailing edge of the tire outside the envelope of the body, so it is easier for goo flying off to hit the front fenders than flying goo off the back tires.

Don't worry about it unless you're getting really bad MPG. Then it might be brake dust from misadjusted brakes.
[/b]

Thanks Guys!

I havn't seen it since that first highway trip so I think you are right about the silicon or tire shine collecting dirt. My MPG is pretty good ( 46.7 for 250 miles).

Taking the prius on its first road-trip Thursday to a blues fest in Arkansas and cant wait!!

I've been lurching for a while and priuschat is a great resource! Keep up the great work.

Adam

10-04-2006, 12:34 AM	#5
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,100 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 18 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 60	Hi adammc, welcome to PriusChat. I don't know what the dust you see is, but it very likely *NOT* brake dust. With regerative braking down to about 7 MPH, the Prius is very gentle on the brakes. Just guessing, I'd bet it was road dust stuck in the silicone goo from the tires. Cornering puts the trailing edge of the tire outside the envelope of the body, so it is easier for goo flying off to hit the front fenders than flying goo off the back tires. Don't worry about it unless you're getting really bad MPG. Then it might be brake dust from misadjusted brakes. __________________ Bill Bill.Merchant@PortlandHSD.info 2007 NL 5 Silver Wraith • 2005 BC 6 Silver Cloud Portland Area HSD Meetup Group: PortlandHSD.info Become carbon neutral: Carbonfund.org or TerraPass.com > < Follow me on

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10-01-2006, 08:54 PM	#1
adamwmcanally Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: mobile, al Posts: 67 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Just put the first 100 miles on my new 06 this weekend, and when we got back back home I noticed a black dust on the bottom panel behind the front two tires. It wiped right off, but am wondering if this is normal. This is my first new car, and have never noticed this on another car. It wasn't on the panels behind the back wheels so I dont think it was something I drove through. Any ideas?

10-02-2006, 09:58 AM	#2
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,283 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 35 Thanked 70 Times in 40 Posts Friends: 3	IMO, i wouldn't worry about it just yet... So long as the car is handling fine, then you probably don't have a problem. It's something to maybe keep an eye on, see if it comes up again, but not something to fret about.

10-03-2006, 08:14 PM	#3
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,372 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	Might be the compound the dealer uses to make the tires all shiny and black. Sometimes centrifugal force flings it onto the fenders; perhaps it's collecting dust...? I think brake dust usually deposits on the wheels themselves.

10-04-2006, 12:06 AM	#4
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	do you have mudflaps? could be road dirt kicking up