While you cannot prevent all damage that may occur to your vehicle’s braking system, there are steps you can take to extend the life of your brakes. Along with regular brake service and brake checks, Auto Specialty of Lafayette, Inc. recommends following these four steps for a long-lasting and effective braking system.
1. Slow Down, Then Brake
Complete stops from very high speeds are by far the number one cause of wear on brake pads. They wear out more quickly from stopping at a faster speed than stopping from a slower speed. Even slowing down a little bit before braking can help extend the life of your brake pads and save on gas too.
2. One Foot for Both Pedals
Using two feet for driving can be a bad habit to break, but it can help save unnecessary damage to your vehicle’s brakes. Tapping the brake pedal while also riding the accelerator adds extra friction to the brake pads, causing them to wear down sooner than they should. Also, it doesn’t make your car slow down any faster than if you are driving using only one foot.
3. Lighten Your Car
While it’s OK to store lightweight items in your vehicle, keeping heavy objects in the trunk of your car on a regular basis can aggravate your brakes. When you brake with a large load in your vehicle, you’re intensifying the friction on the brake pads each time you stop. It’s not only heavy items that can cause extra wear-and-tear on your braking system. Customized auto parts, stereo systems, body panels, and more can result in brake pads that won’t last as long as they should.
4. Regular Brake Flushes
Another tip for maintaining your brakes is to have them flushed every two years. This is especially true if you own an older vehicle. Not only will this help your brakes work better, but it will also extend the life of the components that make up the entire braking system.
Contact Us for Brake Service in West Lafayette
Contact Auto Specialty at (765) 477-7300 to schedule an appointment for any brake repairs your vehicle may need. As the #1 brake repair auto shop in West Lafayette, we also provide other car repair and maintenance services such as diesel repairs, vehicle diagnostics, wheel alignments, and more.