Your brakes are an integral part of your car; you'll want to make sure you maintain them well and have them checked regularly for faults. All brakes will wear out eventually and need replacing; however, there are things you can do to prolong their life. By changing the way you drive, you can reduce wear and tear on your brake system, saving you money by reducing the frequency of brake repairs. You'll also be a safer driver and reduce your fuel consumption too. Read on to find out how.

Lighten Your Car's Load

If you don't need to carry items daily in your car, leave them at home. The more weight in your vehicle, the more work your brakes have to do to stop. It seems like a small thing, but daily driving with unnecessary excess weight will shorten your brakes' lifespan.

Anticipate Upcoming Braking

The more you brake, the faster your brakes will wear out. The easiest way to limit unnecessary braking is to be aware of what's ahead of you. Anticipating braking gives you time to slow your car down by removing your foot from the accelerator and dropping your speed by coasting. You can also use your gears to slow down, reserving braking for when you really need to.

Avoid Riding Your Brakes

Riding your brakes is what happens when you put your foot on the brake pedal when you don't actually need to. Some people do this as it makes them feel safer knowing that they have the brake pedal covered. Even lightly touching your pedal can activate your brakes and cause unnecessary wearing. Brake riding also results in your brake lights being on more than they should be. This can make it difficult for drivers behind you to tell when you're legitimately trying to slow down.

Kill Your Speed, Not You or Your Brakes

You know that speeding can endanger you and other road users, but it also affects your brake's lifespan. Stopping from higher speeds places greater pressure on your brakes. Driving at a reasonable speed reduces harsh braking and allows you time to anticipate upcoming hazards.

Don't Follow Suit

If the driver in front of you brakes unnecessarily, it doesn't mean you have to as well. If you look far enough ahead, keep an adequate distance and drive at a reasonable speed, you'll be able to determine when you need to brake and without being influenced by the inappropriate braking of the driver in front.