Good Driving Habits That Extend Brake Pad Life
Proper brake maintenance is critical for safe driving. Worn out brake pads can increase stopping distances and cause your vehicle to pull to one side when braking. Replacing brake pads regularly helps ensure you can stop safely and prevents more extensive brake repairs down the road. According to Bechtech Automotive, brake pads typically need replacement every 30,000 to 70,000 miles depending on driving conditions and styles.
This article provides an overview of good driving habits that can extend the life of your brake pads. Taking steps to avoid unnecessary braking and brake properly when needed will keep more miles on your brake pads. We’ll also discuss signs that indicate your brake pads need replacement.
What Causes Brake Pads to Wear Out?
Brake pads wear out over time due to normal use and operation of the brakes. The friction material on brake pads is designed to slowly wear away with each application of the brakes. There are several factors that contribute to brake pad wear:
Frequent braking – The more often you use your brakes, the faster the pads will wear down. Stop-and-go traffic and city driving tends to wear pads faster than highway driving.
Vehicle weight – Heavier vehicles put more pressure on the pads during braking. The more weight, the more friction and wear.
Driving style – Aggressive braking and hard stops generate more heat and friction which accelerates pad wear.
Type of pads – Different brake pad compounds wear at different rates. Ceramic and semi-metallic pads generally last longer than organic pads.
Environmental factors – Humidity, cold temperatures, dirt, and salt exposure can all contribute to brake and pad wear over time.
Quality of pads – Higher quality brake pads that are properly bedded in during installation tend to have longer lifespans.
With proper driving habits and routine brake inspections, most brake pads will last between 30,000 to 70,000 miles before needing replacement[1]. However, depending on the above factors, they can wear out sooner or go longer between changes.
Driving Habits That Are Hard on Brake Pads
Excessive braking can wear out brake pads much faster than normal. Instead of coasting to stops, drivers who brake too frequently and too hard put extra strain on their brake pads (source). This constant friction generates heat and causes the pad material to break down quicker. Drivers should avoid sudden stops or slowing down aggressively right before stopping. It’s better to begin braking earlier and decelerate gradually.
Another habit that is hard on brake pads is not allowing the car to coast to a stop when possible. Coasting relies on the momentum of the vehicle instead of constant braking. By shifting your foot off the gas pedal earlier, you can let the car naturally slow down as you approach stops. This resting period helps brake pads cool off and extends their lifespan. Look ahead for upcoming traffic lights or stop signs and gently release the accelerator so you don’t have to ride the brakes all the way to a standstill (source).
Proper Braking Technique
One of the best ways to extend the life of your brake pads is to practice proper braking technique. This involves applying the brakes gradually and smoothly rather than slamming them on. According to Tires Plus, the pivot method is an effective braking technique. With this method, you pivot your foot from the heel so you can gradually apply pressure to the brake pedal rather than jabbing at it. This allows maximum braking force without locking up the wheels. It’s best to begin braking early when you know you’ll need to stop, then increase pedal pressure gradually as you near the stopping point. This smooth braking motion is easier on the brake pads.
Avoid Unnecessary Stops
One of the most common driving habits that wears down brake pads quickly is coasting to stops. This refers to taking your foot off the accelerator and letting momentum carry the vehicle rather than maintaining speed with gentle throttle. While coasting may seem like a way to conserve fuel, it puts additional strain on the brakes to slow the vehicle.
Instead, it’s better to time stop lights and ease off the accelerator early, while still keeping light throttle to maintain speed for as long as possible. This allows the engine to assist with slowing the vehicle rather than relying solely on the brakes. When you see an upcoming red light, begin braking early and gently rather than waiting until the last moment to brake hard.
Proper timing of stop lights and smooth, gradual braking will reduce the frequency of coming to complete stops. This preserves brake pad material and prevents rapid wear. According to Kwik Fit, coasting to stops can wear brake pads up to 25% faster.
Accelerate and Decelerate Gently
One of the biggest factors that can reduce brake pad life is rapid acceleration and harsh braking. Accelerating quickly puts extra strain on the brakes, as the car has built up more momentum that then needs to be slowed down. Hard braking wears down the brake pads much faster compared to smooth, gradual braking (Drivedifferent.com, 2018).
It’s important to accelerate gently from a full stop and ease onto the brake when coming to a stop. This not only extends brake pad life, but can help improve fuel efficiency as well. Aggressive starts and stops waste gas. A good rule of thumb is to gradually accelerate to the speed of surrounding traffic and begin braking early when you see a red light or stop sign ahead (Quora, 2023).
Smoothing out your driving by accelerating and braking gradually can make a big difference in brake pad wear over time. It leads to less friction and heat buildup on the pads. Plus, driving more gently is safer and less stressful!
Avoid Tailgating
Following too closely behind the vehicle in front of you, also known as tailgating, can lead to excessive brake pad wear. When you tailgate, you do not allow enough space between your vehicle and the one ahead to stop safely. This forces you to slam on the brakes at the last second, which puts tremendous strain on your brake pads. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the average stopping distance for a loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 55 mph is 196 feet, while for a passenger vehicle it is 133 feet. Tailgating leaves you with much less than that recommended stopping distance, requiring hard braking that heats up the brake pads and causes them to wear out faster.
To avoid tailgating, make sure to leave at least 3-4 seconds of following distance between you and the vehicle ahead. You can measure this by picking a fixed object like a sign or tree and counting how many seconds it takes for the vehicle ahead to reach that point after passing it. If you have less than 3 seconds, you are following too closely. Increase your following distance during bad weather or slippery road conditions. Leaving ample space allows you to brake gradually rather than slamming on the brakes at the last moment, reducing wear and tear on your brake pads.
Maintain Steady Speed
One of the most important habits for minimizing brake use is maintaining a steady speed when possible. Frequent speeding up and slowing down requires more braking and accelerating, which wears brake pads faster. According to ABC7 News, fluctuations in speed are a major cause of traffic jams. Maintaining a steady speed smooths traffic flow and reduces the need for braking.
Try to avoid unnecessary acceleration and deceleration by driving at a consistent speed within the flow of traffic. Look ahead and ease off the accelerator early if you see red lights, stop signs, or slower traffic ahead. This allows you to gently brake or coast to a stop rather than making abrupt speed changes at the last second. Planning ahead and driving steadily gives your brakes a break and extends the life of your pads.
Regular Brake Inspections
Getting your brakes inspected by a professional mechanic on a regular basis is one of the best ways to prolong the life of your brake pads. Most experts recommend having your brakes checked at least every 6 months or 3,000-5,000 miles.
During a brake inspection, the mechanic will remove the wheels and thoroughly examine the brake pads. They will check the thickness of the pads to see how much material is left. The pads should be replaced when they are worn down to 3/16 of an inch or less.
Waiting too long between brake inspections increases the risk of the pads wearing down completely. This can damage the rotors and calipers. It’s much cheaper to replace just the pads than all the brake components.
Regular inspections also allow mechanics to spot issues before they become serious problems. For example, they can identify leaks, worn rotors, stuck calipers, and other maintenance needs.
Most brake shops offer free multi-point inspections with no obligation to have work performed. This makes it easy to have your brakes checked on a routine basis. According to Absolute Car Care, brake inspections should be performed at least annually.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several key driving habits that can help extend the life of your brake pads and rotors, saving you money on maintenance costs in the long run. Proper braking technique is essential – brake early, firmly and evenly rather than waiting until the last second and slamming on the brakes. Allow your car to coast to stops and avoid unnecessary braking. Accelerate gently and maintain a steady speed, avoiding excessive speeding up and slowing down. Leave plenty of following distance to the car in front of you to prevent needless braking. Regular brake inspections will alert you to any issues before they become serious. Implementing these habits takes some practice but will soon become second nature, while paying big dividends through less wear on one of your car’s most important systems.