Every driver is aware of how important brakes are to the functionality and safety of their vehicle. A calamity is sure to result from bad brakes! However, many people are unaware of how their driving style affects the lifespan of their brakes. Most cars may travel between 20,000 and 70,000 miles before needing new brakes. The lifespan of brakes is affected by numerous elements, which greatly vary from car to car. You’ll use your brakes more often than someone who lives in a rural location with little traffic. The lifespan of your brakes will also depend on the calibre of your brake rotors and pads. Even while certain things are beyond your control, making a few little adjustments to your driving style will make you a safer driver and prolong the life of your brakes.
Avoid being a speed demon
High speed is the biggest enemy of brakes. The energy and brake material required by your vehicle’s braking system to stop the car increases with speed.
Test out coasting
Using the coasting technique, you release the gas pedal and wait for the car to slow down naturally before applying the brakes. While coasting isn’t always a good idea on the road, it usually works well when you’re getting ready to make a turn, when you notice a stop sign or traffic slowing down ahead, or when you see one coming.
One foot only
Perhaps you’ve witnessed a car accelerate while its brake lights were illuminated. This is a direct outcome of the driver’s simultaneous use of his right and left foot to press the gas pedal and the brake pedal. Some motorists believe applying the brake and accelerator with both feet will speed up their reflexes. While driving, you run the risk of applying light, continuous pressure to the brake, which is not a safe practice for regular drivers (also called brake riding). This might lead the garage car to shift towards parking for repairs and maintenance.
Attempt engine braking
When driving down a long, steep slope or looping a mountain, one of the most sensual moments to ride the brakes is when you’re going fast. Try engine braking and let the engine do all the work rather than fully depressing the brake pedal. By descending through the gears, you can slow down your car using engine braking. Although you can accomplish it with an automatic transmission, it works better in vehicles with manual transmissions. Your car’s engine will slow down if you downshift into a lower gear, giving your brakes a rest.
Expand the Gap
Nobody enjoys tailgaters, and your brakes certainly don’t! When you follow too closely, your brake system suffers since you must depress the brake pedal more forcefully and frequently. To make it simpler to coast to a stop and reduce brake wear, allow plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Increase your following distance wherever possible, especially at night, in bad weather, and in other riskier driving situations.
Get a Professional to Check Your Brakes
Some braking issues are challenging to detect without practice, and most brake maintenance concerns will be discovered during the Virginia state-mandated annual safety inspection. You can also choose to have a thorough brake inspection, which will find issues like uneven brake pad wear that may go unnoticed during a routine examination. No matter when your next inspection is scheduled, it’s a good idea to bring your car in if you’ve noticed a change in how your brakes perform. Schedule a consultation immediately at one of our handy locations for the best car service in Dubai.