Safe wheel cleaning with ceramic brakes

I was told by my dealer not to use any soap on the CCB rotors. The wheels don't get dusty from the pads so just plain water seems best.

 

I use a wheel brush with soapy water to just clean in inner rim and spokes.

Nothing on the rotors.

Was advised by my dealer to avoid any protective (Armor All) fluids on the rotors - don't spray the tires, just rub it on.

 

Good question. The mainstream view is to avoid silicone containing treatments. I have taken to not spraying anything after the following incident.

My F430 with steel brakes developed a funny noise when applying them. It sounded like crackling paper. The Ferrari dealer service manager said he had not heard anything like this before. They tried everything to address it; they shaved the pads contact surface thinking that it was a surface contaminant. Nothing worked. The noise was still there. I finally had to replace the pads, even though they were only 20% worn. The service manager suggested that it might be the wheel spray. I used only Zymol, which is a completely natural formulation. To this day I don't know what caused the problem.

Anyway, once burned, I have sworn off all sprays. I just use the washing soap solution on the wheels and clean them by hand. The 458 doesn't get much dirt anyway so it is pretty quick.

 

Never have a "dirty" Ceramic Brake, therefore, no need to do anything but rinse with water and and dry. Best

 

non abrasive higher end car wash soaps are fine if it gets on the rotors. You absolutely need to use non abrasive wheel cleaner. That is fine. The only thing you have to avoid is tire dressings that contain silicone (typically armor all and also anything the guys at the car wash- that alone is good enough reason to avoid all automated car washes). If the silicone "impregnates" the rotor, its game over.

 

Well do not agree about no brake dust. My Porsche and my 430 with ceramic brakes had no brake dust. My 458 does generate brake dust on the wheels. Not as much as regular discs and pads but there is brake dust and more than my 430 as previously mentioned. I believe because of the extra power they use softer pads on the brakes. The rotors are most likely the same as on my 430 except for the size.

 

Agree. And make sure you do not wash with the wheels/brakes hot; wash your car/wheels in the shade or in your garage after it has cooled down.

 

Agree. There is definitely some brake dust in the 458.