Final answer:
Brake failure or fade can be caused by thermal overload, mechanical problems, and maintenance issues. Overheating from excessive use is a common cause, leading to brake fade or complete failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Several factors can cause brakes to fade or fail. Thermal overload, or too much heat, is one of the main reasons brakes can fail. When brakes are used excessively, like during long downhill drives or when heavily loaded, they convert the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat, as demonstrated by the smoking brakes in a truck. This mechanism is like when a book slides across a floor and gives up its kinetic energy to heat due to friction. If the heat cannot be dissipated quickly enough, the brake components can overheat, leading to brake fade where the efficiency of the brakes decreases. In extreme cases, this can lead to total brake failure.
Other factors include mechanical problems, such as leaks in the hydraulic system that reduce hydraulic pressure, worn out brake pads or rotors, or damaged components that do not allow the brake system to function properly. Maintenance issues, such as not replacing brake fluid or neglecting regular brake system check-ups, can also contribute to brake failure.