Car Brake Cost Control Tips: Cut These 5 Bad Habits To Save Your Brakes

“How Can I Make My Car Brakes Last Longer?”

According to a report by Bridgestone North America, car brake pads typically last between 48,000km and 128,000km. This imprecise estimate speaks to the effects that different vehicles and driving practices can have on the lifespan of your car brakes. Indeed, with proper care and changes to your driving habits, you could almost triple the lifespan of your car brakes.

With that in mind, today’s post shares some simple and incredibly effective tips for car brake cost-control. With the median cost of a brake pad replacement measured around $150 per axle, according to Canada’s Kelly Blue Book, it’s definitely worth the read!

Read on to learn 5 ways to maximize the life of your car brakes and minimize repair costs, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to speak directly with a car brake specialist near you.

Car Brake Cost Control Tips: 5 Ways To Reduce Wear And Tear

1. Stop braking late. Braking late is usually synonymous with braking hard, as we slam on the pedal to grind ourselves to a last-second stop. This puts a lot of strain on your braking system, which creates heat and friction that wears out critical components much faster.

To reduce unnecessary wear on your car brakes, pay closer attention to traffic and watch for any brake lights up ahead. The better you can anticipate stops and ease into your braking, the longer your car brakes will keep working.

2. Stop “riding the brake” with your left foot. Resting your left foot on the brake pedal may seem like a harmless habit, but it frequently leads to “micro-braking” that shaves material off your brake pads over time. It also ups your risk of abrupt, accidental braking from high-speeds, which can really take a toll on your brake pads and pose serious road safety risks.

3. Give up the stop/start driving and embrace the art of coasting. Coasting is when you decelerate your car in anticipation of a stop by lifting your feet off of the accelerator ahead of time. But it should not only be used when you anticipate a stop—you should also coast towards stale green lights and reds, when you’re not sure what is coming, as it gives you more time to react. Whether you need to gently press the brake as the stale green goes red, or get back on the gas as the red light turns green, you’ll be ready, and your car brakes will thank you.

4. Stop braking downhill and get comfortable switching gears. When driving downhill, most drivers will want to slow down to stay within the speed limit. But that doesn’t mean you always have to ride the brakes down big hills. Instead, get comfortable switching into lower gears, as this allows the engine to absorb some of the force. Even if you drive an automatic car, downshifting as you coast downhill is a great way to keep your car brakes in shape.

5. Stop stowing junk in your car. The more weight your vehicle is carrying, the greater the strain on your car brakes. Clear everything out of your vehicle except for your emergency roadside kit, and your car brakes will feel the difference.

Take Your Car Brake Care To The Next Level: Contact TIRECRAFT

While daily driving habits count for a lot, the best thing you can do to control your car brake expenses is to invest in regular car brake services at your local TIRECRAFT.

We typically recommend booking a brake inspection after every 12 months or 20,000km of driving. Not only will this increase your odds of early detection, so you can fix minor problems before they become major expenses, but every service can earn you discount dollars through the MyTIRECRAFT Rewards program, so when the time comes for a replacement, you’ll have started paying it off already.

To learn more, schedule a free consultation at a TIRECRAFT near you.

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