6 Tips for Keeping Your Brakes in Good Shape
Brakes are one of the most important parts of your car and help you stay safe on the road. That is why it is so important to properly maintain these brakes. If you neglect to take care of your brakes, they can wear down faster and increase your risk of getting into an accident. Here are six helpful tips for keeping your brakes in good shape:
Do Not Drive Too Fast
When you are driving on the highway, you should try to stay out of the fast lane. If you drive your car at a high speed and suddenly have to hit your brakes, you can do a lot of damage to them. If the brakes are forced to stop the car at 70 or 75 miles per hour, they will have to use a lot of energy and can wear down faster. If you maintain a lower speed, you can reduce wear and tear on your brakes. If you must drive in the fast lane, try coasting when you have to slow down. If you take your foot off the gas pedal instead of hitting the brakes, you will reduce wear and tear on your brakes.
Change the Brake Fluid
Never changing your vehicle's brake fluid can lead to corrosion, making the brakes less effective, according to Cars.com. How often you change the brake fluid depends on what kind of car you have. If you are not sure how often to change this fluid, you should ask your mechanic for guidance. When you do have the brake fluid changed at the auto repair shop, make sure the mechanic uses fluid that is recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer.
Pay Attention to Brake Problem Signs
Whether your brakes are several years old or brand new, it is a wise idea to keep an eye out for brake issues. Some of the most common signs of brake problems include vibrating brake pedals, clicking or grinding sounds when you push on the brakes, and puddles of brake fluid under your vehicle. If you notice any of these signs, you should take your car to an auto repair shop as soon as possible. If you put off getting your brakes fixed, they will only get worse.
Take Some Weight Off
The more items your car has to carry, the tougher it will be for the brakes. If you have unnecessary items in your trunk, you should get rid of them now. When it comes time to buy another car, choose a lighter one. If your car is not that heavy, it will be a lot easier on the brakes.
Stay Several Feet Away from the Car in Front of You
Another good way you can keep your brakes in good shape is to leave enough space between your car and the vehicle in front of you. If you stay several feet away from the car directly in front of you, it will not be necessary to tap your brakes as often when the driver changes speed.
Get Your Brakes Inspected Regularly
Even if your brakes seem to be working perfectly fine, you should still get them checked out by a mechanic at least once a year. A trained mechanic will do a thorough inspection on your brakes to make sure there are no issues with them. If the mechanic finds something wrong with the brakes, he can fix the issue before it gets too serious.
Keeping your brakes in good shape will definitely take some extra work, but it is well worth it in the long run. If you follow these helpful tips, you should have fewer brake problems and stay a lot safer on the road. Contact a mechanic for brake service today.
Share