Brakes are probably the first line of safety and the last line of performance. Brake components are among the first ones to wear out among all other car parts. As an owner, you need to take proper care and maintain the brake components.
Take note of these 5 effective ways to help your brakes work better and last longer.
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Avoid sudden brakes when driving at high speed
The kinetic energy of a car in motion depends upon the weight and velocity of the velocity. A brake’s life reduces when applied suddenly at higher speeds. Thus, slowing down your car a little would mean lesser kinetic energy transformed into heat via friction. It is this friction which causes wear and tears in the brakes.
Hard braking your car at 65 mph rather than at 55 mph forces your brakes to dissipate 3 times more energy, thereby causing more damages. It is always advisable to brake softly while also maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Worth mentioning, sudden braking also causes irreparable wear and tear to your tyres causing flat spots to tread damages. It is advisable to go for routine checks on tread depth and other damages caused to your Tyres Wolverhampton or anywhere else in the UK.
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Practice coasting
Coasting is a term used for slowing down the vehicle without using the brakes. If you stop accelerating it and let it run for a while, the speed automatically comes down. Experts say coasting can significantly increase your brake’s life, although you cannot apply it in every situation. When the car comes down from 70 mph to 50 mph, the brakes need significantly lesser energy to stop it, thus reducing their wear.
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Change brake fluid
Most modern cars have hydraulic braking systems along with other additional electrical components. Irrespective of whether your car brakes are mechanical or electrical in their functionality, the braking power will come from your brake fluids.
Brake fluids need to be changed periodically. While you apply emergency brakes, the water content in these fluids heat up and dissipate, reducing the overall effectiveness. Brake fluid also attracts moisture. It is one of the leading reasons behind corrosion and rusting of the brake components.Ideally, you should flush the brake fluid every 2 years.It is also advisable to change the fluid as per manufacturer recommendations.
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Too much of frugality is a no-no
Being economical and trying to make the brakes last for too long may cost you big time. Instead, make sure to take them for a check. The perfect time to check the thickness of brake pads is when you’re about to rotate your tyre set. Also, you can drive your car to a service station for a Brake Repair in Wolverhampton or elsewhere, if needed.
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To upgrade or not
There are multiple aftermarket variants to every single component of an average braking system. So, you might find brake pads which will guarantee better stopping distance but lower longevity as well as a variant offering just the opposite.
The braking system you optimally need has a lot to do with your car and how you drive it. Refer to professional expertise at auto garages such as Junction 11 Motors to have the right set of aftermarket brake components for your car.