Brake Image Gallery | HowStuffWorks

Brakes translate a push of a pedal to slowing down your car. See a mechanic change the brakes on the next page.

A mechanic replacing the brakes on a Lexus LX470 at a dealership. On the next page are the massive brakes of an Audi R8.

The Audi R8 has internally vented disc brakes with 8-piston brake calipers in the front and 4-piston calipers in the rear. What braking system prevents the car from skidding?

A worker lubricates the sensor of the anti-lock braking system. The ABS keeps the car from sliding due to sudden braking. What part of the brake houses the piston and brake pad?

The brake calipers can house as many as twelve pistons which are also known as "pots". The next brake component is made of cast iron.

Disc brakes are the part of the brake system that does the actual work of stopping the car. Check out a Formula 1 car hitting the brakes hard on the next page.

The brake disc on F1 cars can get up to 1,382 degrees. What can happen to the disc when there is too much heat?

To prevent it from overheating and warping, the pit crew change the brake discs on the race car. The next photo shows how poor brake maintenance can lead to disaster.

The brakes on this race car locked up, causing it to head right into the wall. Take a close-up look at the brakes of a Formula 1 car next.

Formula 1 cars are capable of decelerating from 124-mph to a standstill in only 2.9 seconds. What are the brake discs and pads of Formula 1 cars made from?

Carbon fiber discs and pads are used to give F1 cars their incredible stopping power. The driver on the next page locked up his brakes by stopping too late.

Even with a high-tech braking system, F1 drivers need a great amount of skill to keep from crashing. To learn more about brakes, read How Brakes Work.

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