Savvy Ways To Prolong The Life Of Your Car’s Brakes
September 16th, 2009 by adminSavvy Ways To Prolong The Life Of Your Car’s Brakes
One of the reasons many of us refuse to give into the barrage of new car advertisements and instead, drive older vehicles is because it’s less expensive to do so. But, in order to keep the cost of ownership down, the parts and systems need to last. Some components, such as your alternator or catalytic converter, are largely beyond your control. If you’re using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, you should be fine.
Your brakes are another matter. There is plenty you can do to make them last far longer than you might think. Because having the pads replaced or the rotor resurfaced translates into a repair bill, less frequent trips to the auto shop means saving money. Here are a few smart ways to prolong the life of your vehicle’s brakes.
Braking At Slower Speeds
When your automobile is moving, it is creating energy. The faster you drive, the more energy there is. Your braking system transforms that energy directly into heat, which shortens the life of the pads. This is why braking at high speeds will wear down the material more quickly than doing so at slow speeds. However, you can preserve the pads by allowing your vehicle to coast longer. You may need to look further down the road in order to plan, but you’ll cause far less wear and tear.
Back Off The Driver
It’s instinctive to slow your vehicle when you see a motorist in front of you doing the same. A lot of people slow their cars without having a good reason to do so. In some cases, they’re distracted and reflexively put their foot on the brake pedal when they regain attention. In others, they’re overly cautious. If you allow yourself enough room in front of your automobile, you can safely coast rather than having to react to the slowing of the driver in front of you.
Using Good Judgment
Many motorists act in ways to preserve their vehicle’s brakes that will end up costing them more money at the repair shop. For example, if your pads are wearing thin, have them replaced. Once they wear completely through and the metal parts of the braking system begin rubbing together, it will cost more to repair the damage. Also, avoid shifting to lower gears just to slow your car (as some drivers do with a manual transmission). You might prolong the life of your braking system, but you’ll expose your transmission to excess wear and tear (transmissions are far more expensive to replace).
Drivers often neglect to treat their brakes gently. As a result, they find themselves frequently visiting their local repair garages in order to have their pads replaced. With a little savvy, you can minimize the number of trips you’ll need to make. Coast more, leave some room between your car and the driver in front of you, and don’t try to make your brakes last at the expense of your bank account.
Tags: Car Brakes, Car Maintenance, Car RepairRelated Car Posts
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