Brake Dust

[ShoshTrvls]

Is it just me, or does the Smart seem to generate more brake dust than other cars?

I've been told that "cheaper" brake pads produce more dust, so I'm wondering if replacing the brake pads, even before they're worn out, would be a good thing, both for safety reasons and, frankly, because I'm tired of my front wheels looking like crap.

[John_H]

The safety should be fine with the factory pads or something "better." The EBC "Green Stuff" pads are readily available from lots of places - you might even try calling your Smart Center.

The Green Stuff pads are lower dust. I've even included the dust shields from kleenwheels.com even though the owner's manual warns against dust shields. The product is more than just a sheet of metal. There are stamped "turbo vents" to help promote cross-wheel airflow at speed and the metal is formed for a good fit on the front wheels (though they work on the rear as well). Others worry about the brakes getting too hot without the full open airflow; I don't think the 1800 lb car will suffer given the airflow available from the inward side and from the vents. The "turbo vents" are designed like scoops so they won't pour any dust back onto your wheels, just pull air from the outside in. Only one pair (front) is needed to protect from dust though I got pairs for front & back to even out the look.

[JPaul]

It was discussed before. Not more dust than usual. Some were considering adding dust deflector, but it seemed that the consensus was against it because it'll keep the discs too hot. Some were planning to change to different composite pads... Forgot what came out.

[mdfortwoguy]

Most German/european vehicles wil generate more dust... they are typically specced with softer pads for better pedal feel and bite from higher speeds.

Take a look at some of the Mercedes/BMWs you run across - you'll probably see something similar.

[headless]

My smart roadster has the same problem,the back wheels look like brand new and the fronts look dirty and old, after 4 years the finish started to bubble through on the fronts, so I had all 4 wheels powdercoated black, it looks brilliant, it looks cleaner for longer and it cleans easier with a soft sponge instead of a bristly brush.
I know you still have the brake dust problems, even changing the pads does'nt help, but it makes the car look better, which is what you are after at the end of the day.

Ellis

[mdfortwoguy]

If you get a good hard coat of wax on the wheels every 2nd or 3rd wash, it makes the brake dust hose right off.

I make it a point to wipe the wheels down once a week or so with a towel and some Meguires' Quick Detailer, and the brake dust comes right off. Driving in a heavy rain also has the same effect.

6.5 years with my VUE (which also produces copious amounts of brake dust) and the wheels still shine like new with no burn marks or anything.

[MPrice2984]

The brake dust you see is typical of the low met brake materials the europeans use now days. There is nothing wrong with the brake pads, they are made by Ferodo which is one of the worlds great friction makers. The poster before me is correct, if you wax your wheels it will greatly alleviate the problem. I always use wheel cleaner every week when I wash mine. As an FYI, you will start seeing availability of ceramic pads which do not show dust as bad in the next few month for smarts showing up in the aftermaket. The company I work for is working on developing them right now (Bosch Brakeing, formorley Morse Automotive).

[mdfortwoguy]

Hmm, the pads on mine are stamped with "Bosch".

Perhaps they are rebranded?

[SmartCard]

I don't think the brake dust is too bad either, certainly is better then my MINI!

[JIM VINYARD]

waxing your front wheels using a wax with "CARNAUBA" in it is the best way to make your front wheels very easy to clean, the only thing better then waxing is ceramic brake pads which also do not make any noise while stopping.