Wheel covers and brake heat

[grins2go_brett]

I drive a 2007 Mercedes (branded as Dodge) Sprinter, loaded down with photography equipment all the time (~7100 lbs with me in it). Several years ago, I cut out and painted some wheel covers from coroplast. I even started to mount one a month or so ago, but talked myself out of it.
My concern living in the Phoenix, AZ area is our extreme heat 5 months of the year. I worry about the brakes getting hotter than normal with the covers on and causing fade, or worse, going out completely. I drive urban freeways and city streets all the time so going easy on the brakes is not always an option.
So my question is, am I worrying about nothing since they are still open on the back side? Or is it not worth the 2-4% improvement I might see to error on the side of safety?

[Frank Lee]

Try them and see. You will know right away by the smell or the fade if they are getting too hot. Unless you are descending a huge grade with a heavy load, it'll probably be fine.

If you rarely get up to speed out on highways, they won't do you any good.

[aerohead]

Here is a wheel design GM developed for their Ultralite concept car.I can't vouch for their effectiveness,but GM has pretty stringent safety criteria for their vehicles,even if only a concept.
Daimler-Benz may have designed your rotors for full-panic-stop braking on a 6% grade,fully loaded,in Furnace Creek,Death Valley during peak summer temps.

[deejaaa]

i would like to get a set of those covers aerohead.
with disc brakes all around, i can't see there being any problems with heat. we have some pretty extreme hot days here and i have had zero problems.

[freebeard]

Are they front-wheel skirts? Because that's where all weight goes in a stop.

If they are that marginal, you could always add air scoops on the inside of the wheel.

[aardvarcus]

I have mentioned on here before and despite having been jumped on for how dumb my idea is I will mention again it would be relatively simple to use the signal from the brake lights to control a duct or turn on a fan. The duct/fan could operate for a set time since the last time the brakes were pressed and then shut/turn off. Why duct, blow, or scoop air to the brakes all the time when it is only needed when they are being used?

[GhostWolfGT]

A lot of hubcaps of yesteryear completely blocked all airflow from the outside. Think back to all the metal hubcaps of the 80s. Never any problems with those. 18 wheelers use them and are at a higher risk of brake fade and failure than any car or van.
Unless you are riding the brakes or racing then you are fine.
I accidentally caught my brakes on fire once by leaving the parking brake engaged on my prelude. I went 3 miles before the smoke started.

[GhostWolfGT]

Originally Posted by aardvarcus

I have mentioned on here before and despite having been jumped on for how dumb my idea is I will mention again it would be relatively simple to use the signal from the brake lights to control a duct or turn on a fan. The duct/fan could operate for a set time since the last time the brakes were pressed and then shut/turn off. Why duct, blow, or scoop air to the brakes all the time when it is only needed when they are being used?

That's a pretty good idea. But what ecomodder rides the brakes or uses them hard enough to need to cool them?

I do like this idea for the racecar I'd like to build. I think I will use this idea.

[deejaaa]

Originally Posted by aardvarcus

.....despite having been jumped on for how dumb my idea is.....use the signal from the brake lights to control a duct or turn on a fan. The duct/fan could operate for a set time.....

not a dumb idea. can't believe someone would say that.

[grins2go_brett]

Thanks guys. I'll have to find some time to install them before it cools off too much to test them out. If all is good, I'll leave them on for the "cool season" and into next summer.

I'm usually on the freeways away from rush hour times and set the cruise control at 65, which is the speed limit. Most city streets I drive I'm going speeds of 45-50 mph, with lights 1/2 to 1 mile apart, and timed fairly well. So I'm at speeds where these will hopefully bring me noticeable results.