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Maintenance is a fact of life when you own a vehicle. No matter what, you will eventually have to replace tires, change the oil, and replace the brake pads, among other regular maintenance tasks. While you can alter your driving habits to make your brake pads last longer, remember that it is foolish to wait so long between brake pad changes that metal touches metal. Damaging your rotors will mean a much more expensive repair.

Change Your Brake Fluid

Every couple of years you should completely flush out and replace your brake fluid. Because brake fluid attracts water, repeated brake applications can cause the water to boil and reduce the effectiveness of your brakes. The moisture can also damage your brakes rubber components over time. If your vehicle is older or you purchased it used, you should definitely have the brake fluid checked.

Time Your Stops

If you look ahead of the car in front of you, you can anticipate stop lights and correctly time your braking. Look at the next traffic light and maybe even the one after that. If you see a slowdown or red light ahead, go ahead and coast so that you don’t have to brake suddenly. Just remember to pay attention to the car directly in front of you, as well.

Slow Down

The faster you’re going, the harder it is for your brakes to slow you down. Just a little bit more speed can do a lot of damage. For example, stopping from 65 mph uses about 1/3 more energy than stopping from 55 mph. If you know you’ll have to stop at the end of a freeway ramp, try to coast from 70 down to 50 before engaging your brakes.

Stop Using Your Left Foot

Some drivers like to imagine they are on the racetrack and use their right foot for gas while they use the left foot on the brakes. Unfortunately, this may lead to drivers using both the brakes and gas simultaneously, which will be hard on your brakes. The solution? Only use your right foot while driving.

Many of these tips will also help you conserve fuel, an added bonus! When you need new brakes or any other regular maintenance, head on over to one of Tire World Auto Centers convenient locations in Frederick, MD, and we will be happy to help.