Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Match PowerStop Products to My Vehicle?
PowerStop’s Brake Finder tool makes it easy to find exactly what you need for your specific vehicle. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Brake Finder to find the perfect match for your vehicle and select a retailer to purchase from:
Step 1: Access the Brake Finder Tool
- You can find the Brake Finder tool right here on the PowerStop website. You can even find it at the top of the page you’re on right now. Just look for “Brake Finder” and click on the “Match Your Vehicle” button right next to it. The Brake Finder tool also rests predominantly on our home page, right below the words “Find the Right Brakes for Your Vehicle.”
Step 2: Enter Your Vehicle Information
- Select Your Vehicle’s Year: Begin by selecting the year of your vehicle. This helps narrow down the model specifics and ensure compatibility.
- Choose Make: Next, select the make of your vehicle (e.g., Ford, Toyota).
- Choose Model: After selecting the make, you will need to choose the model of your vehicle (e.g., Mustang, Camry).
- Choose Sub-Model: Some models have sub-models that may have different brake requirements (e.g., GT, SE).
- Select Kit Position: Finally, indicate whether you are looking for kits for the front, rear, or both front and rear. This helps in finding the exact match that fits your needs.
Step 3: Review Matching Products
- Submit Your Information: After entering all your vehicle details, submit the information. The Brake Finder will display the PowerStop products that match your vehicle’s specifications.
- Review Product Options: Look through the options to find the right product for your needs. Product details often include information about the kit components, performance features, and suitability for different driving conditions (like daily commuting or more performance-oriented driving).
Step 4: Choose a Retailer
- Select a Product: Once you have decided which product fits your needs, you can click on the product listing link to view purchasing options (i.e. add powder-coated calipers).
- Choose Retailer: When you search through PowerStop’s Brake Finder tool, you will see links to multiple retailers that carry the product. Follow any of those links to be directed to the retailer’s website and make your purchase!
Does PowerStop Offer a Warranty?
Yes! PowerStop offers a tiered warranty system depending on the product. Performance and Replacement Brake Kits come with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee and a 3-year/36,000-mile or 2-year/24,000-mile warranty against defects and poor workmanship, respectively. Individual brake components like rotors, pads, or calipers are covered for 90 days or 3,000 miles. Track Day kits and pads have a 30-day warranty. These warranties exclude coverage for normal wear, misuse, and improper installation. The warranties do not cover labor costs.
Learn More About Our Limited Warranty
Warranty FAQs
Can I Return My Caliper Cores for a Deposit?
You sure can! PowerStop offers a caliper core deposit refund policy that allows customers to return their used caliper cores for a deposit. It’s essential that the caliper cores are in a rebuildable condition and that all brake fluid is completely drained prior to shipping. Customers are responsible for covering the shipping costs to the following address:
PowerStop
Attn: Caliper Core Returns
6600 River Road
Hodgkins, IL 60525
For successful processing of your deposit, please follow the detailed shipping instructions provided by PowerStop.
Learn More About Caliper Core Returns
Does PowerStop Offer New Hardware with Kits & Components?
Yes! Unlike many other brake manufacturers, PowerStop provides new hardware with all their brake kits and individual components (except Z16 Evolution brake pads and Track Day brake kits and components) to ensure a complete and reliable installation. This includes everything necessary for a standard setup, such as bolts and brackets, depending on the specific kit or component purchased.
It’s important to note that this provision does not extend to the Track Day series products. PowerStop Track Day Brake Kits are designed for high-performance applications and typically cater to users who may have specific custom needs or preferences for hardware, hence, new hardware is not included in these particular kits. Customers should prepare to source their own hardware when purchasing Track Day series brakes.
What Is the Break-In Procedure?
The break-in procedure for new brake pads and rotors, known as bedding, is crucial for optimal brake performance. It involves a series of moderate to aggressive stops to evenly deposit the pad material onto the rotors, creating a consistent friction layer that enhances stopping power.
For breaking in PowerStop Drilled & Slotted Rotors, perform five initial stops from 40 mph to 10 mph without complete stops in between, followed by five stops from 35 mph to 5 mph (expect to smell some resin as the brakes get hot). Finally, allow the brakes to cool by driving at moderate speeds without stopping.
This procedure not only ensures smoother and quieter braking but also maximizes the lifespan and efficacy of your brake system. If skipped, it may lead to uneven pad deposits, resulting in vibrations and suboptimal braking performance.
Other products have different break-in procedures; learn more below:
Learn More About the Break-In Procedure
Find the Break-In Procedure for Evolution Coated Rotors
Find the Break-In Procedure for Track Day Brakes
How Can I Tell How Many Pistons Are in My Brake Calipers?
This is an important question, especially if you’re using our Brake Finder; you may need to know the answer to get matched with the correct parts!
Determining the number of pistons in brake calipers is straightforward and often doesn’t require wheel removal, thanks to open-wheel designs on modern vehicles. You can visually inspect the calipers; single and dual piston calipers typically show visible ‘arches’ indicating the number of pistons. For calipers with four or six pistons, the outlines of the pistons are usually discernible from the outside.
Learn More About Determining the Number of Pistons in Your Brake Caliper
How to Tell if I Have Vented Rotors?
Our brake finder sometimes requires knowing the answer to this question to match you with the correct parts. Determining whether your vehicle’s brake rotors are vented involves a few steps. Vented rotors are common in many vehicles, particularly on the front brakes, as they help dissipate heat more effectively during braking. Here’s how you can tell if you have vented rotors:
Visual Inspection
Location and Visibility:
- Park your vehicle on a flat surface and ensure it is securely parked.
- If possible, remove the wheel to get a clear view of the rotor. If you can’t remove the wheel, you might be able to see the rotor through the spokes of the wheel.
Look at the Edge of the Rotor:
- Examine the edge of the brake rotor; this is the easiest way to identify if it’s vented.
- Vented rotors have a noticeable space or gap between two solid surfaces, almost like two thin discs that are attached together with spaces in between them. This gap allows air to flow through, which helps in cooling the rotor.
Touch Test (When the Vehicle is Cool)
Feel the Edges:
- Carefully touch the edges of the rotor (ensure the car has been stationary for a while to avoid burns).
- You should feel the inner and outer surfaces and the space in between if the rotor is vented. There might be ridges or fins in this space, which are part of the ventilation system.
How Do I Know What Size Brake Rotors I Have?
The Brake Finder tool sometimes asks this question. Here’s how to find out what size brake rotors you have:
Method 1: Manual Measurement
If you prefer to determine the rotor size manually, follow these steps:
- Prepare Your Vehicle:
- Park your vehicle on a flat, secure surface and apply the parking brake.
- For best access and safety, consider lifting the car using a jack and securing it on jack stands. Remove the wheel to expose the rotor.
- Measure the Rotor Diameter:
- Use a tape measure or a caliper tool to measure the diameter of the brake rotor from edge to edge through the center. Make sure to measure the largest possible diameter.
- It’s crucial to measure from the outer edge since some rotors taper off towards the center.
Method 2: Vehicle Specifications
- Owner’s Manual:
- The easiest and most straightforward method is to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual under the brake system specifications section. It usually lists the rotor dimensions.
- Service Manual or OEM Specifications:
- If you have access to a service manual for your vehicle, it will provide detailed dimensions for every component, including brake rotors.
- Dealership or Manufacturer’s Website:
- Visiting a dealership or checking the manufacturer’s website can also provide information based on the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of your car. They can tell you the exact specifications of the parts installed.
Method 3: Professional Help
- Visit a Mechanic:
- If you’re unsure about measuring the rotor size yourself, a professional mechanic can quickly and accurately determine the rotor size for you. This might be the safest option if you are also considering getting your brakes serviced.
Do I Need to Change My Calipers When Upgrading to PowerStop Pads/Rotors?
No. When upgrading your vehicle’s brake system with PowerStop pads and rotors, you do not need to change your brake calipers, as long as your original caliper is in good working condition. This is because PowerStop designs their brake pads and rotors to be bolt-on upgrades that fit directly into the existing factory caliper and mounting hardware.
Do I Need to Make Any Modifications to My Vehicle in Order to Install PowerStop Brakes?
No. Upgrading to PowerStop brakes offers a major advantage: they are designed as bolt-on upgrades. This means they easily fit into your existing vehicle’s brake system without any need for modifications. When you choose PowerStop, upgrading your vehicle’s stopping power is easy!
My Vehicle Isn’t Listed in the Brake Finder, Does PowerStop Have Brakes for My Vehicle?
No. If your vehicle isn’t listed in PowerStop’s Brake Finder, it means that PowerStop does not currently offer brake kits or components specifically designed for your model.
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