Brake burning smell 2003 Pilot-EXL

[mskip]

Today we drove home from local ski hill (EVERYBODY was going home at the SAME time!). Lots of brake, brake, brake...stop,stop going down a mountain (I blame this on everybody being tired after a day at skihill...).Downhill section was 10miles and we smelled our brakes really bad! No loss of braking but really bad "burning" brake smell. Pulled over at gas stop and ALL wheels smelled bad and were hot to the touch. We did not tow anything down a hill or had a hand/foot brake on (light was not on). Drove home OK and I checked brakes right a way. Lots of pad left on both front and back (I would say more then 70% ).Discs are original and brakes were done 2yrs ago (front) and 1yr ago back (back)-pads replaced, system flushed. Our Pilot drives fine, no major problems since we got it used at 80000mi and at 93000mi drives/performs OK.
Any ideas? Suggestions?

[carguy07]

That sounds pretty normal to me.

[94eg!]

Definitely normal for heated brakes. You didn't damage anything unless you notice the pedal going soft. If this was the case, you've boiled the brake fluid. Fluid should always be replaced ASAP after this happens.

It's also good you didn't fade the pads. When this happens the pedal is still stiff, but it requires a LOT more pressure to slow the vehicle. And it only gets worse the more you try to stop.

Its always best to run in lower gears when going downhill. I drop to 3rd or 2nd depending on the speed & grade. Don't be afraid of the rpms in the 3-4k range either. Your not wearing anything out and it will help save your brakes for when they are really needed should some bonehead in front of you lose it or stop short for no apparent reason.