Ensuring your brakes are in excellent condition is crucial for maintaining safety while driving. If you find yourself frequently visiting the mechanic for brake replacements, it’s essential to identify the reasons behind their premature wear. Here are three common mistakes that could be causing your brake pads to wear out faster than usual.
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Neglecting Brake Fluid Changes
Just like regular oil changes are necessary to keep your engine running smoothly, changing brake fluid is important for extending the life of your brakes. Although you don’t need to change brake fluid as frequently, it should be flushed every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Failing to do so can lead to rust, corrosion, and increased brake failure.
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Tailgating Other Vehicles
If you have a habit of following other cars too closely, you may find yourself needing to brake suddenly when the vehicle in front of you stops or slows down. This can lead to frequent slamming of your brakes, which accelerates wear on both your pads and rotors.
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Overloading Your Vehicle
To prevent premature brake wear, it’s advisable to avoid carrying heavy items in your vehicle. If you need to transport something heavy, try to unload it as soon as you can. Excess weight puts additional strain on your brakes, making them less effective and requiring more pressure to operate.
