What Breaks Are On A Tesla?

Tesla brought a state-of-the-art, pioneering advancement in automobile production which prompted demand for electric vehicles. Teslas come equipped with many attractive features that attract consumers. One such standout feature of Tesla is its braking system, which has prompted many people to ask: What breaks are on a Tesla?

Brembo, an Italian manufacturer of automotive braking systems, is the primary producer of most of Tesla’s brakes. Tesla uses their electric disc brakes and electric drive motors for braking in all of their vehicles. 

Before we dig into the regenerative braking method in electric vehicles, we will understand how the engine braking system works. Moreover, this guide will look at Brembo’s braking system and the difference between electric and hydraulic brakes. Keep on reading to find out more! 

Brembo’s Braking System On Teslas

Brembo’s braking systems offer innovative technology and impeccable designs that separate them from normal stock braking systems. These brakes are reliable and guarantee quick responsiveness and controlled braking regardless of your vehicle’s speed. The good news is that you can install these brakes in any efficient motor car, not just sports cars. 

According to their official website, a test conducted on the brakes showed that on average Brembo brakes took 51.3 yards to come to a halt at a speed of 71 MPH compared to stock brakes which took 52.5 yards. The difference may not seem as significant on paper but it can make the difference between your car stopping in time or crashing on the road. 

3 Reasons That Make Brembo Brakes Ideal For Tesla

The Brembo braking system is known for its safety and reliability. Several components work together to provide an optimized braking experience refined in all aspects. The features mentioned below determine the high-end performance of the Brembo braking system. 

1. Brake Dimensions And Weight

The dimensions of the disc have an effective radius that provides a high caliper clamping force. They are also incredibly light as they weigh almost half of what stock brakes weigh, thus reducing non-suspended masses.

The brakes have an impeccable design that supports optimization of the shape, resulting in lower fuel and charge consumption. 

2. Better Friction Generated

The high-quality frictional material in the system affects the torque of the disc. The Brembo brakes have 12% more friction than cast iron, ensuring a more incredible grip and a faster and more responsive braking system. 

3. Braking Distribution

The braking distribution between the front and rear modules provides the optimum braking balance and reduces stopping distance. So even if a heavy load is applied to your vehicle’s rear wheels, you can still expect the car to take the minimum stopping distance.

This feature gives you more control over the vehicle and improves your safety.

What Are Disc Brakes?

Disc breaks rely on friction to slow down a vehicle by using calipers to squeeze a pair of pads against a rotor/disc. This decelerates the vehicle’s axle to stagnate its rotational speed. The energy is changed into heat energy, dissipating in the surroundings. 

This dynamic braking system doesn’t require much pressure to be applied at the lever. The cherry on top is the fact that you can tailor the intensity with which the vehicle comes to a stop by modifying the rotor. A more excellent rotor amounts to greater braking power. 

Advantages Of Disc Brakes

Disc brakes have great all-around features. One of the pros is that disc brakes provide predictable brake force and create greater force than rim brakes. 

With more control over the pressure you put on the brakes, you can easily control when the vehicle slows down or comes to a complete stop regardless of the condition you’re driving in. Another helpful advantage these brakes bring is that they are less likely to skid in slippery conditions.

Moreover, disc brakes can better protect your rim from excessive damage as they generate less heat.

Regenerative Braking System

In conventional cars, putting your foot on the brake pedal generates temporary kinetic energy, which converts to heat before dissipating completely. In other words, this energy is wasted. 

On the other hand, a regenerative braking system transforms the kinetic energy captured while braking into chemical energy, which is then used for the EV’s battery. As energy passes from the wheels to the battery, the braking mechanism effectively generates its own power. 

The battery uses this power to recharge itself, creating a sustainable power cycle that allows the automobile to operate for extended periods. However, the regenerative braking system found in Tesla vehicles also has certain drawbacks mentioned in the table below.

Advantages of regen braking system	Disadvantages of regen braking system
Creates a sustainable power cycle	Less effective at low speeds
Can extend a vehicle’s driving range	Can feel momentarily unresponsive
Reduces brake wear and tear	Less stopping power than conventional brakes

Electric Brakes Vs. Hydraulic Brakes 

Electric brakes top hydraulic brakes for many reasons. The chief amongst them is that electric brakes never leak, unlike hydraulic braking system, which endangers fluid leaks. 

An electric braking system eliminates the braking system’s maintenance costs. Moreover, drivers have more control over the brakes and the braking power in an electronically-regulated braking system rather than in a hydraulic one, where the action might slack due to the movement of fluids through bent lines. 

Therefore, the electric braking system is the cream of the crop due to its optimized braking ability, which produces a longer, more effective working span of the braking pad. 

The brakes will continue to work even when your car runs out of battery as the braking system runs independently of the vehicle’s principal power pack. 

Electric Brakes	Hydraulic Brakes
Lower maintenance cost	Higher maintenance cost
Requires less maintenance	Requires frequent maintenance
Easy installation process	Complicated installation process

FAQs

Does Tesla Have Traditional Brakes? 

In its latest software upgrade, Tesla is incorporating a conventional braking system in its vehicles when the regenerative braking system is lacking. This is, however, a discretionary feature. 

Do Tesla Brakes Require Frequent Servicing? 

It is crucial to get periodic tune-ups of your braking systems. Still, Tesla’s braking pads can work up to 150000 miles in contrast to a conventional braking pad which needs to be changed after every 65000 miles. 

What Are The Drawbacks Of the Regenerative Braking System?

Regenerative braking, like anything else, has downsides. The most noticeable impact is a reduction in efficiency at slower speeds. Regenerative braking cannot catch much energy and give it back to the battery in slow-moving traffic, drastically decreasing system advantages for many users during peak traffic.

Conclusion

Tesla uses a top-notch regenerative braking system and a backup standard braking system. Specifically, Tesla uses Brembo’s high-yielding disc brakes on all its wheels. This incredible state-of-the-art braking system provides you with more control over the vehicle and improves both the car’s safety and performance.