Driving tips to help extend brake life

According to automotive experience, drivers who want to increase the life of their brakes need to know that brakes provide stopping power by generating a large amount of friction and heat.

That also means that your brakes will wear down a little bit with each use. As a result, you’ll need to replace parts like brake pads and rotors from time to time. However, a few simple tricks can help extend the life of your car’s braking system components, ensuring they last longer before needing to be replaced.

Brake cooling

Driving tips to help extend brake life

Brakes that are exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time can degrade their performance or even damage components over time. That is why it is important to cool the brakes. When you notice that your brakes are hot, try to let them rest for a few minutes by not using the brake pedal at the highest possible speed. This allows cool air to pass over the brakes and reduce the temperature quickly.

Brakes are at their hottest in many situations, perhaps immediately after braking downhill, after driving on a winding road, or after hard braking at high speeds. Basically, any time you use your brakes at high speeds or repeatedly, your vehicle’s brakes will become hot and transfer heat to components such as the brake calipers, brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid. Therefore, if possible, avoid continuous braking or driving at low speeds or even parking for a few minutes. This may not always be possible, but it is good for your brake system to prolong its life.

Pay attention to maintenance

Driving tips to help increase brake life - Maintenance

According to experience in using cars, proper maintenancecar brakecan prolong the life of parts that may wear out. Brake system components may need to be removed, cleaned, lubricated, and reassembled from time to time. This helps the brake system to work efficiently and safely and ensures that all parts of the system are working properly. A “healthy” brake system will of course last a long time.

Do not drive too close to the car in front.

Driving Tips to Extend Brake Life - Keep Your Distance

Driving too close to the vehicle in front is not only more dangerous in terms of safety, but is also a major cause of faster wear on the brake system. The closer you follow another vehicle, the more often you have to use the brakes, even suddenly. Therefore, drivers should keep a greater distance from the vehicle in front. This not only reduces the risk of an accident but also increases the life of the brakes.

Sit up straight and look far away

Driving tips to help increase brake life - Good vision, quick reflexes, foresight

Looking further ahead on the road also has a positive effect on braking. Most drivers do not see far enough ahead, with a field of vision of only about twice the length of the car ahead. However, looking further ahead will give you more time to react to changing traffic conditions. You will also have more time to plan your stop. Moving your seat to a more upright position while driving may help you see further ahead.

When you see that you are about to stop (for example, at a red light), release the accelerator immediately. Let the car slow down gradually without using the brakes. With the right timing, you may not even have to touch the brake pedal before the light turns green. Looking further ahead will help you stop less often. This will reduce the need for brake replacements and save money.

Downshift

Driving tips to help increase brake life - Downshift, don't overdo it

Don't underestimate the power of downshifting to help slow your car. For manual transmission vehicles, consider downshifting a gear or two when going uphill or stopping. This shifts some of the slowing work to the engine and transmission. Unlike brakes, both engines and transmissions have their own cooling systems. For example, downshifting from sixth to fourth can reduce the workload on the brakes and prevent wear.