How to Save Money on Brakes

It’s no secret your vehicle’s brakes are an essential safety system. With complex hydraulic mechanisms and plenty of parts that need replacing on a regular basis, it’s always tempting to put off your brake service as long as possible to save a few bucks. But the truth is, failing to keep up with routine maintenance is a sure way to cause yourself extra headaches in the future. Below are a few tips to help save money on your vehicle’s brakes.

Keep Up with Maintenance. Make sure you do all of your brake maintenance on time. Failing to do so can cause damage to expensive parts, so have your mechanic do a yearly inspection. Replacing your vehicle’s brake fluid per the owner’s manual scheduled maintenance will extend the life of brake lines, calipers and proportioning valve.  A simple clean and adjust service will also extend the life of brake pads and linings.

Use Quality Parts. It may be tempting to go for the cheapest parts possible when it’s time to replace these necessary items for your car, but the truth is, these inferior parts are cheaper for a reason. Stick only with name brand quality brake parts. Your safety is worth it.

Change Your Driving Habits. More than anything else, changing how you drive will save you a lot of money on your vehicle’s brake costs. Slowing down earlier, not coming to abrupt stops and not riding the brakes will go a long way toward making your car’s equipment last longer than it otherwise would.

Ask if Your Calipers Can Be Rebuilt. When it does come time for a complete brake job, and your mechanic recommends that you need to replace the calipers, ask him if they can be rebuilt instead. A re-build kit with a little additional labor will still be cheaper than buying the whole caliper.