How to Preserve Your Vehicle’s Brakes
What You Can Do
Having your vehicle’s brakes in working order is an important part of vehicle ownership. By properly maintaining them, you’ll ensure that every drive you have is a safe one. But did you know that are other ways you can preserve the brakes, outside of the typical maintenance services? By keeping in mind of your driving habits and other factors you don't typically think about, your vehicle can last a lot longer in between brake checks. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you are preserving your vehicle’s brakes!
Slow It Down
A tendency you’ll notice with many drivers is the abrupt stop they make when they get to a red light or stop sign. This sudden shift in speed increases the heat generated by the brakes, which contributes to early deterioration. Instead of quickly coming to a halt, slowly stop your vehicle. This will reduce the amount of pressure and heat placed on the brakes, which will increase their longevity!
Shed Some Pounds
During vehicle ownership, it isn’t surprising to see owners leave a multitude of different items in their vehicles. From golf clubs to clothes, you'll be surprised by what you find. But did you know that this extra stuff could be putting additional stress on your vehicle’s braking system? Big or small, these extra items are actually adding to the overall weight of your vehicle. When your vehicle comes to a stop, the brakes will have to work harder to stop the vehicle due to the weight, especially if the vehicle is moving at a higher speed. To remedy this, simply remove any unnecessary stuff from your vehicle. Although it may not be noticeable to you, it will greatly help in extending the life of your vehicle’s brakes!
Stop Riding
Another habit that is commonplace among many drivers. "Riding the brakes" means always having your foot on the brake pedal and constantly using it, even when there’s no need for it. This over-usage will quickly wear out the brakes and have you back in our shop sooner than you planned. Although it’s unavoidable in traffic, you can limit the amount of time you use the brakes in normal conditions. Instead of driving close to the vehicle in front of you, think about placing a one or two vehicle buffer. This will give you enough time to react if the car slows down or suddenly stops!
