Taking care of your car is an ongoing process that requires you to visit the mechanic fairly regularly. But did you know that maintaining the integrity of your car requires more than just getting an oil change every 3,000 or so miles? The way you drive can actually impact how quickly certain car parts wear out, meaning that you can take a proactive stance against wear and tear by being a little more conscientious about how you drive. Of course, there are other factors, too, but it is important to note that no maintenance routine is complete without an effort to drive carefully.
Your brakes are some of the most important parts on your vehicle. Sure, you need to go, but stopping is a crucial aspect of driving safely and cannot be achieved if your brakes are bad. This being said, it comes as no surprise that replacing or repairing brakes can be costly, and the need to do so can arise fairly often. By following these tips and tricks, though, you can lengthen the lifespan of your brakes and save a few dollars in the process.
• Roll to a stop. Some people believed that the only way to drive is with their foot on the gas or their foot on the brake, but truthfully there is a lot of road time when your foot shouldn't be pushing a pedal at all. How do you brake when you pull up to a light? If you go right from gas to brake you may be wearing your brakes down quickly, as a slow brake will grind the brake pads down and a quick brake will lurch the car to a stop. Instead, take your foot off of the gas and coast up to the light (or stop sign). You will of course have to utilize the brake, but by coasting you are using the momentum that the car already possesses, which can also save you gas.
• Pay attention to the noises your car makes. When you pull up to a stop sign there really should be no noise coming from your brakes. Squeaking, squealing, or grinding sounds often indicate the need to get your brakes checked. Be sure that you do this promptly, as leaving it until later can cause severe (and expensive to repair) damage to your vehicle's rotors. When this happens, you will often have to pay to replace both the rotors and the brake pads, which can translate into a hefty bill.
• Don't be cheap. Of course you don't have to purchase the most expensive car parts on the market, but do make sure that when you buy new brake pads or rotors you request that the mechanic install the best quality product that you can afford. Often the higher quality parts will come with a warranty that may prove worth the investment. Additionally, they will naturally last longer, as a higher quality brake pad should be more durable.
Maintaining the integrity of your brakes is an important aspect of keeping your car in working condition; without them, you would certainly be unable to drive safely, putting both yourself and other drivers in harm's way. By following these tips, though, you can keep your brakes in shape!
