Why do carbon ceramic brakes perform worse in cold weather? – Jalopnik

The weight of a car has a major influence on its performance. It can often be downplayed to emphasize horsepower, but those trying to get more out of their car often look for ways to reduce curb weight, which reduces the load on the engine. Carbon-ceramic braking systems don’t balance anything close to what the typical iron components can handle; often they are about 40% lighter. While you can find them on exotics like Ferraris, they are also present in some sedans like the 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, which added retuned dampers and carbon-ceramic brakes to a new handling package.

However, there is one aspect of these carbon ceramic brakes that has some drivers concerned. For example, a Running list A forum post sparked debate when a poster from Canada raised concerns about how well these carbon ceramic brakes would perform during the brutal northern winters. Other posters responded that this hasn’t been a problem in their experience, but there are still some things you may want to keep in mind.

Carbon ceramic brakes simply take a little longer to warm up in cold temperatures than their heavier iron counterparts. There are a few things a driver will notice before these brakes reach optimal temperature on a cold day, such as abnormal noises and a feeling of rougher contact between the brake pads and the carbon ceramic disc. Fortunately, if the above is experienced, it is temporary and normal operation returns once things warm up. Cold weather may not be a big problem for everyone, but carbon ceramic brakes have other drawbacks that are worth exploring.

The BMW M5 also offers optional carbon-ceramic brakes since 2018. The automaker is happy to give them to you for an additional $8,500 on top of the $128,700 MSRP. Considering BMW says the M5’s sheer weight is “the best we can do,” shedding some of its hefty 5,390-pound curb weight is something to consider. It’s also worth noting that while the initial investment is quite high, carbon ceramic brakes tend to last much longer than alternatives (assuming you don’t use them for extended and aggressive track sessions).

Another problem with carbon ceramic brakes is that they are fragile compared to other options. Although carbon ceramic can withstand extreme temperatures of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit or more, it is also brittle, making the brakes likely to crack or chip if not treated carefully. If these parts are considered fragile in a garage, you can obviously imagine the potential problems if they get hit by road debris. A particularly jarring impact even has the potential to shatter these expensive parts, which is something to consider before going all-in on carbon-ceramic brakes.