brake fade

English

Noun

brake fade (uncountable)

1. (automotive, rail transport, mechanical engineering) Partial or total loss of braking force with prolonged continuous or repetitive application of a heavy vehicle's brakes, due to the effects on the brake system of the heat generated by heavy braking.

   To help prevent a runaway caused by brake fade, heavy trucks are required to stop at the top of the downgrade to give their brakes time to cool.