HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR BRAKES

The brakes are easily the most important part of a car since they help prevent you from getting into any accidents. Therefore, you want them to be at the top of their game at all times.

Below, our team at Ira Lexus of Danvers will give you some tips on how to extend the life of your brakes. Read through our guide, then contact us if you need brake service near North Andover, Peabody, or Danvers.

1. MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE ON THE ROAD

Speed is one of the top causes of premature brake wear. In fact, the brakes dissipate about 30% more energy when stopping from 65 MPH vs. 55 MPH. Since brake pads transform energy into heat, they’ll wear down quicker.

There’s a better chance of this happening when you’re driving through congested traffic. Many drivers speed up, get too close to the car in front of them, and then have to brake hard and suddenly to avoid a collision.
A good way to prevent the need to do this is by keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you at all times. It’s recommended to adhere to the 3-second rule. Pick a stationary object that’s even with the vehicle ahead of you, then count to three. If you pass that object before you hit three, leave more space between you and the other automobile.

2. COAST AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE

You also want to coast more instead of slamming on the brakes. Again, the harder you hit the brakes—especially from high speeds—the quicker the brake pads can wear down.

Pay attention to the flow of traffic—beyond the vehicle right in front of you. If you see brake lights a couple cars ahead, be prepared to bring your Lexus to a slow stop. Then, if you see a stop sign or red light, you’ll want to start slowing down well before the stop.

3. LIGHTEN THE LOAD IN YOUR CAR.

The heavier your vehicle is, the more force your brakes have to apply to stop it. This can put a great amount of strain on the brakes and require you to replace them sooner rather than later.

Therefore, you’ll want to unload any items that don’t need to be inside your car. Keep in mind, though, that the car’s weight can come from other items besides cargo. Any customizations, such as body panels and wheels, can add extra weight to the vehicle and lead to shorter brake pad life.

4. FLUSH THE BRAKES AS NEEDED.

It’s recommended to get the brakes flushed every two years to help them work more effectively.

Brake fluid attracts water, which can “boil” during repeated brake use. The moisture that gets inside the fluid can also cause internal corrosion, which would wear down several components, such as rubber seals.
By keeping up with this routine maintenance, you’ll have a good chance of making your brakes last as long as possible.

KEEP YOUR BRAKES NICE & HEALTHY

By following the above tips, you can have strong brakes inside your Lexus for many months and miles. However, there will be a point when the brake pads need to be replaced. When that time comes, you can schedule service at Ira Lexus of Danvers.

Our certified technicians have years of experience performing this type of service. With their skills in place and access to high-quality genuine OEM parts, you’ll have a safe and dependable vehicle again in no time.
So, don’t wait. SCHEDULE BRAKE SERVICE near North Andover, Peabody, and Danvers today!