Imagine trying to get 4000lbs traveling at 60mph to stop in only a matter of second. That probably takes a lot of strength, right? This is the kind of hard work your car’s brakes put in every day, so maybe it’s time we cut them some slack and helped them out a bit? There is a serious reason to help protect your car’s brakes from wear and tear – it will reduce the chances of brake failure or slow-to-react brakes that can cause accidents. Here at JD’s Auto Repair, we’re going to give you some tips for driving habits that will reduce the wear on your brakes, making them last longer and reducing the chances of a serious accident.
Drive at a steady speed
If you’re the kind of driver that loves roaming around the backstreets like an F1 or NASCAR driver, it might be time you slowed down a bit. Aside from being generally dangerous, speeding around the streets also puts a huge burden on your brakes which will need to work double hard to slow your vehicle down from those high speeds. This kind of wear and tear can crack or warp brake discs quite easily. In addition, it’s also not good for your tires, chassis, and suspension to be regularly braking at high speeds. Take it steady and keep your brakes healthy!
Keep two steps ahead
Keep an eye on the road in front of you and brake slowly and steadily rather than suddenly and sharply. Of course, if there is an emergency up ahead such as a kid suddenly running out in front of your vehicle, you should slam on the brakes as hard as possible – but not every time you stop. Keep your eyes out for what’s up ahead. Are there traffic lights turning red? Do you see a car edging out in front of you? Braking earlier in these scenarios will really help preserve your brakes for when you need them most!
Let your gears carry some of the burdens
If you live in a hilly place, try getting into the habit of engine braking rather than riding the brakes on long downhill stretches. You can do this by switching to a lower gear and it won’t require you using the brakes, giving them a well-deserved rest. Although this used to only be something available for stick-shift drivers, many modern automatics enable you to change to lower gears precisely for this reason. Make sure you use it!
Your brakes are your lifeline on the road, so they should be treated with respect and preserved as much as possible. A few simple changes to the way you drive could double the lifetime of your brakes, making it safer for you and your family on the road and also saving you money in the long run. If you are worried about the effectiveness of your brakes, head down to JDs Auto Repair. We’d be more than happy to have a look and make any changes so you can get back on the road safely as soon as possible!