Save Your Brakes and Money

(Photo: redsautoandservice.com)

So I just got new brake pads on my Cavy, and anything I can do to make them last a little longer is worth the effort.  Cars are so darn expensive when they get old.  I have heard so many weird theories about what is good and bad for your brakes, like that men's brakes last longer because they slam on their brakes more or that you shouldn't brake when going over train tracks.  I never know what to believe.  Here's what I found that will give your brakes a break and save some money. 

1. First and foremost, get your brakes fixed immediately.  At the first sign of warning, get your brakes fixed.  The longer you wait, the more money you are going to have to spend because you will have to get more than just the brake pads fixed.  It's not worth waiting, suck it up and get them fixed. You can stay in one night that week.  It's also not safe to neglect your brakes.  You don't want to get injured or hurt anyone else just because you didn't want to spend a few bucks on brakes.

2. Signs that it is time to take your car to the shop to fix the brakes.  Most brake pads will let you know when they need to be changed.  When they wear down and need to be fixed, you will hear a high pitched squeaking noise.  Time to get change your brake pads!  Hurry before you end up needing new rotors as well.  Another sign is when you brake and your car feels like you are going over the rumble strips on the side of a highway. 

This looks just like my car, I swear.  (Photo: vinceparker.com)

3.  When you get your new brakes, make them last.  There are a few things you can do to keep  from having to get new brake pads all the time.  I'll give you the quick list and you can go here for more detailed information  http://www.edmunds.com/.  So the main goal to save your brakes, amazingly, is to stop stopping!  Obviously that's how you wear them out.  So don't stop just because the person in front of you does (unless necessary), feel free to coast instead of hovering over the break, and don't stop from high speeds.  So speeding not only is bad for gas mileage but is bad on your breaks because you are slamming on them when you have to stop. You should also periodically get your brake fluid changed and keep from carrying around unnecessary weight in your car. 

4.  Theories.  I have heard that guys' breaks last longer than women's because guys tend to slam on their breaks more often.  I was unable to find anything that supported that theory and the fact that hard stops as mentioned above wear on your brakes more, doesn't seem to go along with that theory.  I have also been told that you shouldn't press the breaks when you are going over train tracks.  I was not able to find any information on this either and I am skeptical to believe it considering everyone breaks when going over the tracks.  If anyone has info on whether either of these theories is true, let me know. 

Happy Driving.


Sources:  http://howto.macautoparts.net/2011/01/05/give-your-brakes-a-break-mac-autos-simple-guide-to-changing-brake-pads/, http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-ways-to-make-your-brakes-last-longer.html, http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/save-your-brakes-maintenance-schedule-and-costs, http://carwoo.com/blog/dont-break-your-brakes-three-ways-to-save-your-stoppers-this-year/
, http://www.ultimate-car-care-guide.com/brake-maintenance.html, http://autosally.com/blog/2010/07/07/economy-beyond-gas-three-things-you-can-do-to-save-money-on-your-cars-brakes/, http://www.driverside.com/auto-library/how_to_save_money_on_brakes-458, http://corp.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/asp/ccr/ccr20020201hb.asp