Another benefit of regen braking?

davidtm · 11-22-2007, 03:01 PM

I used to hassle with the accumulation of brake dust on the front wheels of my former car, but I realize that regen braking could reduce if not eliminate that with the Prius. Is that a fair assumption? Any experience?

auricchio · 11-22-2007, 04:44 PM

You're correct. Most of the braking doesn't use the brake pads, so there's virtually no dust.

patsparks · 11-22-2007, 06:52 PM

I have the worst case of brake dust on my Prius, worse than any car I have ever owned. I think the front pads are soft because they don't get as hot as conventional cars. I have to wash my front wheels often.
I don't think I'm hard on the brakes after all I get great mileage.
I must add, the brake pads have very little wear after almost 70,000km although I have only driven 10,000 of those.
Maybe the aerodynamics are lifting road grime onto the front wheels?

seasalsa · 11-22-2007, 07:19 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Nov 22 2007, 03:52 PM) [snapback]543019[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have the worst case of brake dust on my Prius, worse than any car I have ever owned. I think the front pads are soft because they don't get as hot as conventional cars. I have to wash my front wheels often.
I don't think I'm hard on the brakes after all I get great mileage.
I must add, the brake pads have very little wear after almost 70,000km although I have only driven 10,000 of those.
Maybe the aerodynamics are lifting road grime onto the front wheels?
[/b]

Must be a Southern Hemesphere thing, all the brake dust we in the North don't get flows South.

I never have to clean my front wheels between washings, just no dust.

patsparks · 11-22-2007, 08:08 PM

Have a look under the dress ring. I have removed mine and I think it increase the flow of air (and dust) through the wheel. It just pulls off.

daniel · 11-22-2007, 11:10 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seasalsa @ Nov 22 2007, 04:19 PM) [snapback]543026[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Must be a Southern Hemesphere thing, ...
[/b]

It's the Coriolis force. In the Northern hemisphere it goes clockwise, causing brake dust to spiral away from the wheels. But in the Southern hemisphere it goes counter-clockwise, causing the dust to spiral towards the wheels and settle on them.

patsparks · 11-23-2007, 12:23 AM

Thanks Daniel

You silly boy!

seasalsa · 11-23-2007, 08:36 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Nov 22 2007, 05:08 PM) [snapback]543039[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Have a look under the dress ring. I have removed mine and I think it increase the flow of air (and dust) through the wheel. It just pulls off.
[/b]

I just checked mine, they are hanging in my garage and there is no brake dust on them. Take them off and the dust will go away even down under.

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11-22-2007, 03:01 PM	#1
davidtm Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TJ'ville Posts: 121 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I used to hassle with the accumulation of brake dust on the front wheels of my former car, but I realize that regen braking could reduce if not eliminate that with the Prius. Is that a fair assumption? Any experience?

11-22-2007, 04:44 PM	#2
auricchio Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cambria, CA, USA Posts: 910 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	You're correct. Most of the braking doesn't use the brake pads, so there's virtually no dust.

11-22-2007, 06:52 PM	#3
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,958 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 204 Thanked 272 Times in 211 Posts Friends: 36	I have the worst case of brake dust on my Prius, worse than any car I have ever owned. I think the front pads are soft because they don't get as hot as conventional cars. I have to wash my front wheels often. I don't think I'm hard on the brakes after all I get great mileage. I must add, the brake pads have very little wear after almost 70,000km although I have only driven 10,000 of those. Maybe the aerodynamics are lifting road grime onto the front wheels?

11-22-2007, 08:08 PM	#5
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,958 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 204 Thanked 272 Times in 211 Posts Friends: 36	Have a look under the dress ring. I have removed mine and I think it increase the flow of air (and dust) through the wheel. It just pulls off.

11-23-2007, 12:23 AM	#7
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,958 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 204 Thanked 272 Times in 211 Posts Friends: 36	Thanks Daniel You silly boy!