No car owner wants to hear that the problem the car is having is in the transmission. Transmissions are one of the most expensive parts that a car owner might have to replace – if the car is old enough, it sometimes makes more sense to replace the car entirely than to replace the transmission. But I’ve found that there are ways to save when you need transmission work! Not only are there ways to save money on a new or rebuilt transmission, there are also ways to locate transmission problems and have them fixed before they become too serious. This blog is designed to help you take better care of your transmission, and avoid paying too much for transmission repairs.
Changing your brakes is just a routine part of vehicle ownership, but there are things that you can do to make them last longer. This can help you save time and money and can help keep you and your passengers safe while you are on the road, so remember these three easy-yet-effective tips for making your brakes last as long as possible.
1. Slow it Down
As if there aren't plenty of other reasons to slow down while you're on the road -- such as to avoid expensive speeding tickets and to maintain better gas mileage -- slowing it down can be good for your brakes, too. It's simple -- when you have to stop your vehicle from a higher speed, you put more pressure on your brakes. Stick to the posted speed limit to avoid overwearing of your brakes and other issues.
2. Learn to Coast
You don't have to hit your brake pedal for every little thing. Although you'll obviously want to use your brakes when someone in front of you is coming to a stop, simply taking your foot off of the gas pedal can allow you to slow down when the speed limit changes or can help you slow down as you take an exit ramp. The more that you slow down without pressing your brakes, the more that you can preserve your brakes when slowing down or stopping.
3. Keep Your Left Foot Out of the Way
Unless you drive a stick shift, there is no reason for your left foot to be anywhere in the driving equation. Keep it to the left and out of the way. If you use your left foot to press your brake, then you could be accidentally "riding" your brake while you're driving down the road. Even the lightest amount of pressure -- which is totally natural if you have your left foot on the brake pedal -- can cause extra heat and friction for your brakes, which can cause them to wear out much more quickly. Plus, your brake light might be on when it shouldn't be, which can cause confusion for other drivers and can put you at a greater risk of an accident.
Taking good care of your brakes is one of the easiest way to save money on maintenance, so give these simple tips a try to save cash and keep your vehicle's braking system in good condition. Regular checkups by companies like Fleet Services can help you keep track of your brakes' health.
Share6 January 2015
