One of the most common reasons people come in for service is to get their brakes inspected and replaced. If you feel like you are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to brakes, than this might be just what you needed.
There are many variables in play when it comes to squeezing every last bit of life from your brake pads. And although technology has come a long way to aid us in this task, a lot of it comes down to lifestyle and driving habits. So here’s what you can do as a driver to make sure you paying your mechanic a visit all the time.
Speed is one of the top reasons brakes don’t last. The faster you drive, the more kinetic energy there is for the brakes to dissipate. When the brakes pads clamp down on the rotors it produces thermal energy. When they work harder they also get hotter leading to more wear. Slowing down saves lives, and brakes too!
Keeping your brakes applied unnecessarily also shortens the life of your brakes. So wherever possible keep your foot off the brake if you don’t need to slow down. Coasting along with as little acceleration as possible helps save gas and brake life. That’s a win win. Also if you’re traveling up a hill toward a red light, let gravity help you out and let off the gas pedal a little earlier. Paying attention to the road will help you avoid accidents as well as sudden stops.
Besides driving habits, you might just be carrying around a lot of extra weight. No I don’t mean the kind we all have left over from Thanksgiving. But many of us keep too much junk in our cars that we don’t need and probably can live without on a regular basis. Every bit of extra weight works against you when you are speeding up and slowing down a car or any vehicle for that matter.
Next time we will dive into the mechanical aspects of break wear. So stay tuned for the next installment. And if ever you’re in need of a brake check, call or stop by MR Auto SD.
