Your vehicle’s brakes are one of the most essential components it. They keep you, your passengers, and other passengers and pedestrians safe. Keep them in good shape, and they will have the greatest chance at doing their job right. Maintaining them well can help them last longer than the average number of miles a decent set of brakes would last.

Every vehicle differs but, a good set of brakes and rotors will provide you with about 40,000 miles of trouble-free braking. If you fail to get them serviced regularly, the brakes won’t last that long. An average job to replace rotors and pads can cost hundreds of dollars, but the cost of an accident due to brake failure can be well into the tens of thousands. Not to mention any peripheral damage that could also pose serious hazards for you or someone else

We won’t make up some complicated diagnosis – sometimes the answer is as simple as a slight rust buildup on the brake pads that can be fixed with a simple cleaning. Other times, a more serious brake problem could need an immediate resolution to keep you and your family safe on the road. For paramount situations like these, see an expert auto repair technician, like those on our staff here at Phoenix Auto Repair in Nashville, TN.

So, you may have asked yourself how can you keep your brakes safe and get them to last longer. We have three suggestions below to get you involved:

Don’t Brake at High Speeds

That is to say at least- don’t brake suddenly at high speeds! This can put tremendous wear on the brakes and cause them to fail. You will notice there is a problem when the car shakes whenever you apply the brakes at 60 mph or so. Always apply gentle pressure to the brakes when stopping. Drive consciously and safely, and aim for a smooth stop every time you can.

High-speed braking generates excessive heat, which will only accelerate the wear and tear on your brakes and rotors. This wear also compromises their ability to provide efficient stopping power when you might need it most! Developing smooth and gradual braking habits, especially at high speeds, is the way to go.

Keep Your Discs Clean

Several factors can increase the chances of your brakes getting dirty over time. One common culprit is dust and debris from the road, which can accumulate on your brake components, including the pads and rotors. Driving in dusty or muddy conditions can exacerbate this issue. Additionally, the use of low-quality brake pads can lead to increased brake dust production.

Environmental factors like living in an area with high humidity or near the coast can contribute to brake corrosion, dirt buildup, and even rust! Rust can wear out your braking system prematurely. To combat these problems, regular brake inspections and maintenance are essential to keep your braking system clean and efficient. Best of all, you don’t have to take the car apart to keep the discs and rotors clean. Simply have it taken in for regularly scheduled maintenance that is a cinch to complete.

Routine service visits can include brake cleanings to remove dust, but there are differing opinions on whether or not this is necessary. However, it is in our professional opinion that you should have your brakes looked at for cleanliness every time you get your tires rotated.

Change Your Brake Fluid

You may need to do this once every four years. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your vehicle for the best results.

Driving smoothly, keeping your brake system free of rust, and changing the fluid are all ways to care for your vehicle. These three simple steps alone can do a lot to prevent the heavy wear and tear that can lead to other damaging problems. We encourage you to keep your brakes in good shape, getting more life out of them and your vehicle as a whole.

Visit Phoenix Auto Repair in Nashville at least once a year for a complete inspection! We will let you know if your brakes need to be cleaned, or replaced, or if there is something else wrong you may not have considered.

Call us if you have any questions at (615) 866-9199 or use our contact form if you would like to make an appointment for an inspection.