When it comes to car safety and functionality, every motorist understands the importance of brakes. Brake failure is a disaster waiting to happen! However, many people are unaware of how their driving habits affect the life of their brakes. Many causes of early brake wear have to do with how you drive. However, it wouldn't be fair if we didn't mention that other conditions can cause your vehicle brake and associated hardware to fail.
Most cars will last miles before requiring brake service in West Melbourne or elsewhere. The lifespan of brakes is influenced by various factors that vary from car to car.
So, here are six tips to keep in mind to give both your wallet and your car brakes a well-deserved break.
Do not overspeed:
The brakes' greatest foe is speed. Brakes wear down quickly due to friction when you hit them at high speed. The higher the speed, the greater the friction. For instance, stopping from 120 kph rather than 90 causes the brakes to waste more energy and use up more braking material. As a result, you must maintain a consistent pace and avoid excessive speeding.Slow down first and then stop:
Slowing down before coming to a stop is another strategy to keep your car brakes in good shape. Power is converted into heat energy via the braking system. The vehicle comes to a halt when the energy is released as heat. If you were to stop your automobile while it was travelling at 100 kilometres per hour, the brakes would have to convert a far larger amount of energy into heat. This also implies that the brake pads on your car will wear out much faster needing car repairs in West Melbourne or other areas of Australia. Furthermore, vehicles behind you will get valuable milliseconds to respond to your braking manoeuvre.Inspect brake pads and rotors:
The point of contact between your braking system and your tyres are the brake pads and rotors. These components degrade more quickly than others, requiring regular maintenance. Friction between the tyres and the brake pads generates heat, which causes the brake pad to wear down. It's critical to check the pads' quality and depth to ensure that there's enough resistance.
It may be time to examine and replace your brake pads and rotors if you discover you need to depress your brake pedal more, smell a burning odour or the distance it takes to stop increases dramatically.Change or flush brake fluid:
The pressure in the braking fluid causes the vehicle to come to a halt when you step on the brake. To maintain this pressure, the brake system is totally enclosed. The brake fluid does, however, heat up from time to time. As a result, the braking fluid reservoir would be contaminated with moisture. Moisture build-up in the braking system can harm parts and possibly cause rust.
To avoid this, have your brakes flushed and fluids changed every time you have your car's engine oil changed. You can do this by taking your vehicle to a nearby car mechanic in West Melbourne.Use only the right foot:
We all pick up poor driving habits somewhere along the way. Some hinder your progress, while others are outright harmful. One of these unhealthy behaviours is slamming the brakes with your left foot. This isn't going to help either you or your automobile. While stepping on the brakes, you could accidentally hit the throttle.
When you push the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time, the braking mechanism creates a lot of friction. If you keep doing this, your brake's life will be cut short. So, when braking, make it a habit to always use your right foot. Keep your left foot free for the clutch pedal.Keep your car light:
The lifespan of your brakes will be shortened as your car becomes heavier. You use the brakes to bring your car to a complete halt. However, if the car is heavy, the brakes will have to work much harder to bring the machine to a stop. So, do your brakes a favour and don't overload your trunk. Plus, you'll get better mileage if you do it this way.
To sum up:
Since brakes are so important for driving safely, it's necessary to keep them in good form at all times. If you see anything unusual, don't hesitate to go for brake service in West Melbourne or your local car repair shop.
You can also read, Common Brake Failure Signs That Every New Driver Must be Aware of
