Of all the safety features on your vehicle, your brakes should be at the top of the list. Without them, you wouldn't be able to stop in time at a stop sign or even avoid an accident. To keep your brakes in good condition for as long as possible, follow the tips below when using your brakes to decrease some of the stress that constant use can put on them.

Brake with Your Right Foot

When you learned how to drive, you were most likely taught to use your right foot to use both the gas pedal and brake. However, you may have developed the bad habit of using your left foot to brake. If so, this habit could make you subconsciously overuse your brakes.

If you use your left foot, you may wind up keeping it on the brake pedal even when you are not using them just so you can be prepared. However, doing so means you may be pressing down slightly, keeping the brakes engaged most of the time and putting undue wear and tear on the pads and discs.

Instead, get into the habit of only using your right foot. Since you cannot have your foot on both pedals at the same time, you take away the possibility of accidentally hitting your brakes when you do not need them. 

Depress the Pedal Slowly

Whenever you need to come to a stop, you may be in the habit of jamming on your brakes at the last minute. While sometimes doing this is unavoidable, such as when you need to avoid hitting another car or a pedestrian, it is not always necessary when you come to a traffic light or stop sign.

When you jam on your brakes every time you stop, you are giving the brakes a sudden, forceful jolt of pressure. This can cause uneven wear on your brakes.

Instead of jamming your brakes every time you have to come to a stop, plan ahead. If you see or know beforehand that you need to stop at an intersection, take your foot off the gas pedal to coast along until you slow down. Then, gently depress your brakes to come to a complete stop.

Using the above tips while driving can help spare your brakes from some of the strain of using them too much. However, if you do notice that your brakes are not working as well as they should, take your vehicle to an auto service so they can examine and perform brake repair if necessary. Get in touch with a company, such as Buettner Tire & Auto, for more information.