Articles & Guides

SP Performance double drilled and slotted brake rotor in silver zinc with a red caliper, on a dark gray car parked outside a home garage at dusk

GuidesOctober 19, 20264 min read

Built to Order: How SP Performance Rotors Ship

Rotors are built to order and ship from Indiana, pads ship from Virginia, and shipping is free on all U.S. orders. Here is how every order moves.

SP Performance double drilled and slotted brake rotor in gray zinc with a red caliper, behind the wheel of a black car in a dark garage

GuidesOctober 15, 20266 min read

SP Performance Rotor Warranty, Explained in Plain English

What the 12 month or 12,000 mile rotor warranty covers, what it excludes and why, and how to file a claim without surprises.

SP Performance peak brake rotor in silver zinc with a red caliper, installed on a car on a shop lift

GuidesOctober 12, 20265 min read

When to Replace Brake Rotors: Signs, Thickness, and Timing

Minimum thickness, scoring, cracks, and pulsation tell you when a rotor is done. Here is how to read each sign and why rotors get replaced in pairs.

SP Performance diamond slotted and dimpled brake rotor in gray zinc with a red caliper, on a silver car in a damp driveway

GuidesOctober 9, 20265 min read

Why Do Brakes Squeal? Causes, Fixes, and What Is Normal

Some brake squeal is normal and some is a warning. Here is what causes the noise, how to fix it, and when to have your brakes inspected.

SP Performance cross drilled brake rotor in gray zinc with a red caliper, installed on a blue car on a garage lift

GuidesOctober 6, 20266 min read

Warped Rotors? What Brake Pedal Pulsation Really Means

Most rotors blamed for pedal pulsation are not warped. Here are the real causes, the order to check them in, and how to keep new rotors smooth.

SP Performance drilled and slotted brake rotor in silver zinc with a red caliper, on a black car parked on a wet street at night

GuidesOctober 3, 20264 min read

How to Bed In Brake Pads and Rotors, and Why It Matters

Bedding is how new pads and rotors learn to work together. Here is what it does, why skipping it causes pulsation and squeal, and how to get it right.

SP Performance double drilled and slotted brake rotor in black zinc with a red caliper, behind the wheel of a silver car at a night car meet

GuidesSeptember 30, 20265 min read

Brake Fade Explained: Why Your Brakes Lose Bite When They Get Hot

Friction fade keeps a firm pedal but stops with less authority. Fluid fade makes the pedal spongy. Here is what causes each kind of brake fade and how to keep...

SP Performance black zinc drilled and slotted brake rotor with a red caliper, freshly installed on a car on a shop lift

GuidesSeptember 28, 20269 min read

Brake Rotor Installation Checklist: Do It Right, Keep Your Warranty

Clean hubs, measured runout, star pattern torque, and proper bedding. The step by step rotor install checklist our warranty is built on, and why each step matters.

SP Performance gray zinc double drilled and slotted brake rotor with a red caliper behind a gunmetal rear wheel

GuidesSeptember 28, 20267 min read

Silver, Black, Grey, or Red: How to Pick a Zinc Rotor Finish

All four finishes are zinc coated, so the choice comes down to your build. Here is how they compare, how to choose, and how to keep them looking right.

Close-up of an SP Performance double drilled and slotted brake rotor in red zinc showing the chamfered holes and curved slots

GuidesSeptember 28, 20268 min read

Double Drilled and Slotted Rotors, Explained Feature by Feature

Two rings of holes, curved slots, chamfered edges, and a zinc coat. Here is what each feature does, who the rotor is for, and how it gets to you.