There are few systems in your vehicle more important for safety than the braking system. It’s easy enough to get a car moving—put it in neutral and you can do it simply by pushing—but stopping is another matter altogether. This is why it’s so important to have your auto repair shop keep a close eye on your brakes. With that in mind, avoid the following bad habits to ensure your brakes operate at peak efficiency for longer.

Driving Habits that Are Bad for Your Brakes

1. Making Quick and Sudden Stops

Waiting until the last moment to brake and making hard stops when you don’t need to put tremendous strain on your braking system. These habits don't simply wear down your brake pads more quickly; they also put stress on the entire system, from the pedal to the hoses to the pads. Begin slowing well ahead of your stop to extend the life of your brakes.

2. Letting Brake Fluid Get Low or Dirty

If you’re not keeping up with routine maintenance at your local auto repair shop, you may not even notice when you’re suffering from this issue. Dirty fluid can wear down the components of your braking system, so it’s important to have it changed when it begins to become discolored. Also, low fluid can reduce braking efficiency, which not only causes you to push down harder and wear your brakes faster, it can also be a safety hazard.

3. Downhill Braking and Riding the Brakes

It’s easy to get into the habit of riding your brakes when you drive downhill, but holding the brakes too long in this way puts them under a good deal of stress. Instead, reduce your speed before you reach the slope, and use your vehicle’s low gear to allow the engine to do the braking for you. On automatic transmissions, this is the 1, 2, or L setting on the gear lever, depending on the car.

4. Loads Too Heavy for Your Vehicle

Every vehicle is designed with specific load capacities in mind, both in terms of passengers as well as cargo. Part of what determines those safe load capacities is your brake system’s ability to deliver the stopping power needed to bring the load to a halt. If you find yourself frequently towing heavy loads, carrying a vehicle full of passengers, or driving around weighty cargo, consider investing in heavy-duty brake pads to ease the toll this takes on your brake system.

If you have questions about your brake system, reach out to the experts at Dirk's Auto Repair in Lincoln, NE. Since 1995, this auto repair shop has kept drivers safe by helping their brakes work at peak efficiency. For more information about their auto services, visit their website or call (402) 466-6010 to schedule an appointment.