How To Make Your Brakes Last Longer – Part 1

Brakes eventually wear out and need to be replaced, which is why Budget Brakes is in business. However, as a driver there are some strategic things you can do to increase the life of your brakes.

Mac Demere, a writer, vehicle tester and race driver, wrote for Edmunds.com about the Top 10 Ways To Make Your Brakes Last Longer. Today I’ll pull out a few gems from his list, then I’ll present the rest of his tips in my next two posts.

Speed Kills. Stops from high speed are the mortal enemy of brakes. And a little more speed hurts more than you can imagine. Stopping from 65 mph rather than 55 forces the brakes to dissipate about a third more energy.

No Lefties. Use only your right foot on the brake pedal. I often see cars cruising at a constant speed — or accelerating away from me — with brake lights either constantly illuminated or glowing like lonely lightning bugs. By braking with only your right foot, you'll avoid simultaneously pushing both pedals.

Be a Coaster. Coasting is a surprisingly easy way to get rid of a lot of brake-killing speed. If you know you'll have to stop at the end of a freeway off-ramp, coasting from 70 down to 50 before you brake will significantly reduce brake wear. Time lost will be little or, if cars are queued ahead, none.

So, the choice is yours. If you want your brakes to last longer, don’t habitually brake at high speeds, keep your left foot off the brake pedal, and learn how to coast.