6 Fantastic Tips to Make Your Car Brakes Last Longer

6 Fantastic Tips to Make Your Car Brakes Last Longer

Getting new brakes installed on your car can be costly, but many drivers are unaware that the way they drive can shorten the life of their brakes.

If you make a few small, deliberate changes to your driving style, you may discover that your brakes last much longer and that you can drive for many more miles before they need to be replaced. It is recommended that you have your brakes checked on a regular basis as part of your full car service in Reading.

The following are six simple tips that will not take much time or money to implement but will save you a lot of money on the cost of having your car brakes replaced. You may be able to significantly reduce the number of times your brakes need to be replaced if you are more conscious of your brakes while driving and keep these minor details in mind whenever you get in the car:

Maintain your focus on the road

This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many drivers aren't fully aware of what's ahead of them. Look far ahead and anticipate any braking you will need to do well before reaching the hazard or junction. This way, you'll have plenty of time to take your foot off the accelerator, coast for a few moments to let your speed drop, and then brake only when absolutely necessary.

Coasting

The more force you apply to your brakes, the more pressure and wear they endure. You may be putting undue strain on your brakes if you frequently decelerate quickly from high speeds. When driving on the highway, try to indicate early and coast for a few seconds before braking to reduce your speed.

    Don't follow other people’s actions

Just because other people drive in such a way that their brake pads are damaged doesn't mean you have to do the same with yours. Most of the time, even if the person in front of you does not anticipate having to slow down, you will still be able to see well enough in front of you to be able to gently slow down. Don't use other people's habits as an excuse, and don't let them dictate how frequently you need to replace your brakes. In this way, you can save yourself from braking pads replacement cost.

Consider how frequently you travel

When we travel several times per week, we can all become complacent. If you drive to and from work, you may be in a hurry to get home, which may influence your driving. Rapid acceleration and deceleration will not save you time and will put a strain on your brakes. You will be able to anticipate potential hazards such as traffic lights or roundabouts if you are familiar with the route and will be able to slow down more gently if you think about what you are doing before you arrive. Making these small changes on a regular basis could significantly extend the life of your brakes and save you money on replacements.

Unload your vehicle

We're all guilty of leaving things in the car that we don't need as we're too lazy to unload them or find a permanent home for them at the other end. The greater the weight of the vehicle, however, the greater the strain on the brake pads. Driving with far more weight than necessary in the car can significantly reduce the life of your brake pads. Simply taking unnecessary items out of the boot and finding them a permanent home could make a big difference. Moving them may be inconvenient at first, but it will pay off in the long run.

Regular 'check-ups' on your brakes

 This will allow you to have minor issues resolved before they become major problems. This could imply that your brakes will last much longer and spending a small amount of money now could save you in the near future.

None of these steps is difficult or costly to implement, and while they may appear inconvenient at first, they will quickly become completely natural. You could permanently change your driving habits and significantly reduce the number of times you need to have your brakes repaired or replaced with a little perseverance.

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