How to Extend the Life of Your Brakes

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.

The following are 6 simple tips that don't take much time or money to implement but could end up saving you a fortune on the cost of having your brakes replaced. If you are more mindful of your brakes while driving and keep these minor details in mind whenever you get in the car, you may be able to significantly reduce the number of times your brakes need to be replaced:

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 only brake when absolutely necessary.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.