Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Brakes

Your brakes are one of the most important safety features your vehicle consists of. When your brakes don't work properly, you put yourself, your passengers, and other drivers in harm's way. Every time you press on the brakes, you expect them to slow down the vehicle. Experts suggest that your brake pads, which are responsible for helping your vehicle stop should last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. In some cases, your brakes could last even longer. In an effort to both save money on auto repairs and preserve your brakes, it is important to do everything you can to extend the life of your brakes as much as possible. Here are four tips to help you do just that. 

Double Pedal Pushing

Some drivers will use both feet while driving. This consist of using your left foot to press the brake pedal, while using the right foot to accelerate. Unfortunately, this can cause you to push both pedals at the same time if you are not paying close enough attention. By pressing both pedals, you are using your brakes for no reason causing them to wear out faster than they should. By using only your right foot, you can avoid pushing both pedals. 

Flushing Your Brakes

Just like any part on your vehicle, if you want your brakes to remain in good condition, you will need to do some maintenance on them. The average driver will use their brakes around 75,000 times a year. Because the brakes are used so much, the brake fluid may consist of moisture contamination and the fluid level reach a dangerously low point. In an effort to avoid this from wreaking havoc on your brakes and potentially causing them not to work as effectively, you want to flush out your brakes and add new brake fluid. 

Diminishing Major Stops

When you do stop your vehicle, it puts more wear and tear on them when stopping at higher speeds. To help keep your brakes in the best condition possible, you want to keep your speed down. In case you do have to stop abruptly, you are not wearing out your brakes at a high speed if you choose to maintain a lower speed at all times. Experts recommend keeping a minimum of a 2 second difference between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. If the conditions are wet, you should maintain a larger distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of yours. This will help you avoid harder stops. 

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