Braking News! Follow These Dos And Don'ts To Extend The Life Of Your Brakes
Everyone knows that vehicles require regular maintenance; some parts just need to be tuned up in order to function properly. Brakes are no exception to this rule; they require certain maintenance, like changing brake fluid, to keep them in working order. While the shelf life of brakes can be extended through regular maintenance, there are also other steps that can be taken to extend their life. When a car is being driven, there are certain dos and don'ts that can be followed to help keep your brakes working like new. Extending the life of your brakes will not only help your car run smoothly, but it can also save you money in the long run.
DO: Brake sooner. Coming to a stop suddenly puts a lot of wear and tear on your brake pads, which are responsible for the actual stopping of your vehicle. When you stay aware of your surroundings and brake as soon as you can, your car can come to a stop slowly and evenly, which will preserve the life of your brake pads.
DON'T: Get the urge to speed. Speeding is one of the leading causes of wearing out brakes earlier than necessary. Brakes turn the energy produced by stopping into heat, and too much heat can wear down brake materials. Reducing your speed, even by 10 mph, can make a huge difference in how much brake material is worn down.
DO: Keep your car as light as possible. Carrying heavy loads in your car will not only reduce your gas mileage, but it will also affect your breaking system. The more weight your car is lugging along, the more wear and tear your brakes sustain. This is also important to keep in mind when buying aftermarket parts, like tires, because they can be so heavy and affect your brakes negatively.
DON'T: Ride your brakes. Riding your brakes is defined as keeping constant pressure on your brakes, especially when descending. When you ride your brakes, they heat up quickly and start to wear down your brake pads. Slowing your car down early enough and only applying small amounts of pressure at once can help you brake safely without riding the brakes.
If you keep up on regular maintenance and follow these dos and don'ts, your brakes should last a long time. If your brakes are still wearing out early despite these steps, it could be a problem with your car that you should have looked at by a mechanic.
To learn more, contact a company like Automotive Specialties.