I have noticed significant brake fade under heavy but not severe braking on my 04 plate Octy 4x4.

Is this common and if so, why are the pads not rated to provide reliable braking under reasonably moderate circumstances? Any help would be most appreciated. :eek:

From what I can recall of my 4x4 when it had standard brakes, fade was never a problem & I had come from an Impreza, I would guess their is a problem with the car

I would disagree with you there Stuart, but then maybe I'm a little harder on brakes than you....

I found mine very easy to fade cross country - Ferodo DSC2500 pads and maybe better fluid, makes all the world of difference.

I found that the standard brakes are surprisingly efficient. No brake fade experience here, not even on track days.

(But then I'm slow. )

Ok, it's official, I'm a nutter......

That, or it must be the estate's excess weight pushing at the back...

No I didn't like the 4x4 brakes either...fluid helps a lot, then pads, but still felt unstable/not quite right for me.

If it's faded once then chances are it's boiled or got near to boiling and thus now deteriorating quicker now as a result. Also noting the car may of sat for a while pre registration.

Take the car to the dealer and ask them to check the system.

If you desire good super dot 4.1 fluid is circa 7.50 a litre, 2 bottols is enough to flush and fill the system, again a job the dealer can do if the first step is not fruitfull.

have had fade on nearly every car i've owned. in fact thats a lie, i HAVE had fade on all cars, even after upgrading discs and pads on my focus. next step after jabba is brakes on my 4x4

Here's the scenario... long straight dual carriageway with roundabout ahead requiring slow to stop from 70 ish! Constant pressure applied to brakes and gradual 'bite' achieved... then fading to nothing... stand on brake pedal and overshoot stop line nearly into roundabout... fresh pair of pants and review of what just happened... have tested motorway with no traffic around and same fading, will take to dealer. Thanks for your help and comments.

unless you were trying to stop then in under 35meters then :eek: thats absolutely shocking