Auto Maintenance: Benefits of Keeping the Car in Shape

Auto Maintenance: Benefits of Keeping the Car in Shape

Prolong the Life of Your Brakes with These 3 Tips

by Brent Porter

The brakes in your car are vital to your safety and the safety of your family. Here are some tips to prolong the life of your brakes

Look for Dust Accumulation

Every now and then, it's a good idea to get a look at your brake pads to make sure they are not worn down all the way. It is important to check the brake pads, because if the brake pads completely wear down, the rotors will begin to wear down, and rotors can be more costly to replace.

To do this, you simply need to take off each tire and look at the dust accumulation on the wheel. Over time, brake pads wear down, which causes brake dust to accumulate. When the brake pads are worn through completely, there is no dust. That could be a sign that you need new brake pads right away. 

In addition, by looking at the wheel, you may be able to see through to the pads themselves. Brake pads and rotors look like clamps on your wheel. You should see the metal rotors holding the rectangular pads in place. If the pads seem to be receding, they very well may need to be replaced.

Avoid Braking from High Speeds

One of the worst things you can do for your brakes is to slam on the brakes if you've been riding along at a fast clip. The amount of kinetic energy being generated by a fast-moving wheel needs to be matched by the brakes, and your brakes will wear own much more quickly when they have to generate so much energy to stop the car. Instead, do your best to always slow down and coast to a stop.

Know When You'll Be Slowing Down

If you're like many people, you go to the same places regularly in your car. That means you know your route pretty well; you know whether you brake for a specific turn in the road or that people abruptly get into traffic from a side road, causing people to stop short on a particular street.  By thinking about the times you apply brakes in your day-to-day life, you'll be able to anticipate those times and move more slowly so that you don't have to slam on your brakes.

Now that you have some ideas about how best to extend the life of your brakes, you can use the information above to keep your brakes in good shape. Talk to your auto mechanic, one like Big Mechanic, about more things you can do to protect your brakes.


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About Me

Auto Maintenance: Benefits of Keeping the Car in Shape

Like many people, I can't afford to buy a new car every few years. This means that I must keep my older vehicle in top condition. Thanks to the fact that I take my car to a great shop, I do get all the benefits that come with knowing I have reliable transportation. Car maintenance covers a lot of ground. Some things I can do at home, like checking fluid levels. Other repairs and maintenance, like radiator repair or front end alignments, require professional attention. Over time, I've developed a maintenance routine that has saved a lot of money and ensures my car will easily last for several more years. If you need to keep your older car running, let me help. I'll show you how to set up a workable maintenance schedule. In the long run, you'll save a lot of time, money, and frustration.

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