Your vehicle’s braking system is one of its most crucial components. Brakes in good working condition will keep you, your passengers, and pedestrians safe. With proper attention and care, you are guaranteed to be safe on the road and ensure extended use, so you can use it longer than the average kilometres from a decent braking system.
Understanding the Braking System
Apart from being one of the most used parts of your vehicle, the brakes are the most important to maintain as any sign of error or malfunction can result in serious issues that can place you in danger. In addition, damage to your brakes may mean extensive repairs and costly replacements in the future.
Given most parts that make up your car’s braking system are out of plain sight, you may find it challenging to check the condition of its crucial components, such as the calipers, brake pads, and rotors on a regular basis. This is also one of the reasons why many Sydney car mechanics recommend having your braking system inspected at least twice a year, or whenever you are scheduled for a tire rotation. With the wheels already off, it becomes much easier for auto mechanics to closely inspect and repair brakes, if needed.
The way a car runs on the road will depend on a combination of internal and external factors. Despite this, a good set of brakes and rotors can provide you with an average of 65,000 kilometers of worry-free braking experience. If you neglect routine servicing on your braking system, they won’t last as long. Without routine servicing, you are more likely to suffer from issues while on the road. Replacing brake pads and rotors will cost you a few hundred dollars. This is relatively cheaper compared to fixing damages, hospitalization fees, and the trauma of getting into an accident due to a failed braking system.
In most cases, a quick fix on your vehicle’s braking system is a simple cleaning service. And in some cases, you may need to check in your car at an auto mechanic shop so that they can implement the necessary repairs or replacement on your braking system. Regardless of cause and severity, it is imperative that you resolve any braking issue as soon as possible to ensure your safety and others.
Here are different ways on how you can prolong the life of your vehicles’ braking system.
- Start Driving with One Foot
When you are driving an automatic transmission vehicle, the majority of drivers prefer using both their feet- that is one for each pedal. This may be a logical practice but assigning each foot to a pedal can result in accidents when panicked motorists slam their feet on both pedals simultaneously.
In addition, using both your feet may also lead to premature wear and tear of the brake pads, as two-footed drivers are more likely to apply more pressure to the brake pedal before they totally remove their food from the throttle. This practice communicates to the car that you’re stopping and going at the same time, which can result in increased friction between the brake pads and rotors,
- Brake Early
Various conditions caused by other motorists and pedestrians on the road may require you to apply your brakes fast and hard to prevent a collision. Unfortunately, you should not make this braking style a habit. Braking hard will wear out the pads at a faster rate. When you can, apply your brakes gently to bring your car to a smooth stop instead.
- Reduce your Load
Heavier vehicles have greater momentum which means it’s harder for them to stop. Additional load on your vehicle will make it more challenging to stop at the right time. With that in mind, it is best to remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle. The extra weight on your vehicle becomes more costly, especially when you need to replace your brakes earlier than expected.
- Gear Down
It can be challenging to drive downhill without riding hard on your brakes. However, as soon as you take your foot off the pads, your car will start accelerating again. When you are driving on elevated terrain, such as hills, it is advised to choose to drive on a lower gear. Driving on a lower gear will force your engine to keep the vehicle running at slower speeds without applying brakes too often.
- Avoid Braking at High Speeds
At the least, avoid braking abruptly at high speeds. This practice can place tremendous wear on your brakes, resulting in brake failure. A telltale sign that there is something wrong with your brakes is when your vehicle shakes when you apply the brakes at 60 mph or more.
Most importantly, auto mechanics recommend visiting an automotive shop at least twice a year to determine the status of your brakes. You cannot delay repair or replacement of brake pads, rotors, and other components, as this can mean placing your life. If you are looking for a reliable and efficient team of car mechanics in Sydney, you can always depend on HP Automotive. We have years of experience in car servicing and repairs. We service all makes and models, so you can rest assured that we have everything that you need to keep your car running efficiently and safely. For additional enquiries or to schedule an appointment, call our direct line on +612 9979 8372 today.