Safety systems like this make modern brakes more complex, but also much safer than earlier braking systems. Brake fluid, specially designed to work in extreme conditions, fills the system. In recent years, brakes have changed greatly in design. Disc brakes, used for years for front wheel applications, are fast replacing drum brakes on the rear wheels of modern cars. This is generally due to their simpler design, lighter weight and better braking performance.
Brake fade is a temporary condition caused by high temperatures generated by repeated hard braking.
Once they cool, the condition subsides. Drum brakes are not internally ventilated because if they were, water could accumulate in them. Disc brakes can rapidly fling off any water that they are exposed to, and so they can be well ventilated. If a wheel locks up, steering input cannot affect the car's direction. With ABS, no matter how hard the pedal is pressed, each wheel is prevented from locking up.