3 Habits That Can Damage Your Brakes
Posted on: 8 January 2016
Even for drivers who are careful to perform regular maintenance on their vehicles, brakes can be one of the easiest parts to overlook if you are not experiencing any problems. However, there are several ways you could be causing damage to your brakes without even realizing it. Here are three habits you should avoid that your brakes will thank you for.
Riding the Brakes Downhill
Many drivers attempt to gain more control over their vehicle when driving downhill by gently engaging the brakes until they are back on flat road. While this does prevent the natural acceleration that a vehicle will experience when going downhill, it causes more wear on your brake pads than is actually necessary.
Instead of riding the brakes all the way down a hill, it is a better idea to gently tap the brakes every few feet. This will help keep your vehicle's momentum under control without grinding the brake pads all the way down.
Forgetting to Check Brake Fluid Level
Brake fluid is an essential part of your braking system that amplifies the force of pressing the brake pedal to close the brake calipers and stop your vehicle. Without the proper level of brake fluid in your brake system, you will find that the brake pedal is not as responsive as it should be, forcing you to push it down further and further to stop effectively.
Brake fluid will diminish at a very slow rate over time from the process of using your brakes, but a sudden, noticeable reduction in brake fluid level usually indicates a leak. You should check your brake fluid level at least once a month to avoid the risk of an accident that could occur if you suddenly find that your vehicle won't stop.
Driving With Both Feet
Left-foot braking is a technique commonly employed by race car drivers who need to minimize the amount of time it takes to engage their brakes. However, this is not a sound tactic if you want to get the longest life out of your vehicle's brakes. The problem with driving with two feet is that most people rest their left foot slightly on the brake pedal.
Even if it feels like you aren't pressing the brake pedal at all, you could be placing enough pressure on the pedal to keep your brake pads in contact with the rotors while you drive. In addition to wearing your brake pads much faster, this can cause an unsafe condition by keeping your brake lights on all the time so that drivers behind you don't actually know when you are slowing down to stop.
By avoiding a few simple mistakes while driving, you can make your brake pads last longer, reduce the frequency of brake repairs, and stay safer on the road. For more information, talk to a professional like Care Muffler & Brake Shop.
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