Untitled Document

Aversion to downshifting warps ITD pool car brake rotors

For years, ITD pool cars traveling down steep grades have come back to the mechanic shop with the same problem: warped brake rotors from drivers who do not downshift as they descend and choose instead to ride their brakes all the way down.

"We have a problem with people who use our pool cars that travel to the northern districts," said Bob Williams, ITD highway equipment analyst. "They leave it in 'Overdrive' while going up and down Horseshoe Bend Hill, Goose Creek Grade north of McCall, Whitebird Hill and Lewiston Hill. If people take it out of 'Overdrive' and downshift to 'Drive,' you hardly need to use the brakes."

"Every time a car goes north, I can bet it will return with warped rotors," Williams said. "In the owner's manual of each vehicle is a section on how to drive in the mountains and it talks about downshifting to save the brakes."

Williams said many of the people who return and complain of warped rotors are likely the ones who caused the warping in the first place. Williams also said the headquarters' shop is experiencing a lot of breakdowns and downtime as they endeavor to make repairs.

"We used to have the luxury of being able to turn the rotors here. We don't have that luxury anymore. Now, when people warp the rotors, it's a big deal to get it fixed. It takes two of us to shuttle a car over to D3 and two people to pick it up, plus the downtime."

"This information also will benefit employees with their own personal vehicles," Williams added.