Getting new brakes fitted to your car can be expensive, but many drivers are unaware that the way they drive may be affecting the shelf-life of their brakes.
If
you make a few small, deliberate changes to your driving style, you may find
that your brakes last much longer and that you can drive for many more miles
before needing to replace them. It is recommended to have your brakes checked
regularly with your Interim service or full car service in Reading.
1. Keep your eye on the road - It may seem obvious,
but you'd be surprised how many drivers aren't fully aware of what's ahead of
them. Make sure to look far ahead and anticipate any braking you will need to
do well before you reach the hazard or junction. This way, you'll have plenty
of time to take your foot off the accelerator, coast for a bit to let your
speed drop, and then the only brake when absolutely necessary.
2. Coasting - The harder you break,
the more pressure and wear your brake pads endure. If you frequently decelerate
quickly from high speeds, you may be putting undue strain on your brakes. When
driving on the highway, try to indicate early and coast for a while to reduce
your speed before braking.
3. Don't follow in the
footsteps of others - Just because other people drive in a way that damages
their brake pads 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 have the opportunity to see well enough in front of you to
be able to slow down gently. Don't let other people's habits be an excuse, and
don't let them influence how frequently you have to change your brakes.
4. Consider the regular trips
you take
- 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 from work, which may
affect the way you drive. Rapid acceleration and deceleration will not save you
much time on your journey and will put a strain on your brakes. If you are
familiar with the route, you will be able to anticipate potential hazards such
as traffic lights or roundabouts 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 increase the lifespan of your
brakes and save you from having to replace them as frequently.
5. Unload your vehicle - We're all guilty of
leaving things in the car that we don't need because we're too lazy to unload
them at the other end or find a permanent home for them. However, the greater
the weight of the vehicle, the greater the strain on the brake pads. Driving
around with far more weight in the car than is necessary can significantly shorten
the life of your brake pads. Simply removing unnecessary items from the boot
and finding them a permanent home could make a significant difference. Moving
them may be a minor inconvenience, but it will pay off in the long run.
6. Service your brakes - Regular ‘check-ups' on your brakes will allow you to have minor issues resolved before they become major issues. This could mean that your brakes last much longer and spending a small amount of money now could save you from having to replace your brakes completely in the near future.
None
of these steps are particularly difficult or expensive to implement, and while
they may appear inconvenient at first, they will soon appear completely
natural. With a little perseverance, you could permanently alter your driving
habits and significantly reduce the number of times you need to have your
brakes repaired or replaced. Garages in Reading
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