As Sprinter van owners, the last thing we need is to constantly be pouring money into servicing your brakes and rotors, we’d much rather be investing in the latest gear for comfort and style! So we things its a great idea to have a good understanding of how your driving style influences the lifespan of you brakes and rotors.
Whether you use your Sprinter Vans for commercial or leisure purposes, you can always be mindful of how you drive and it will for sure save you money! In this article, we check out how various driving habits can affect the lifecycle of your Sprinter’s brake system.
1. Frequent Short Trips
Short journeys are most demanding on brakes because the system lacks the warm conditions which are ideal for its operation. Starting and stopping frequently without letting the brakes set to their optimal working temperature increase brake wear and tear, especially in cities.
Do as the F1 drivers to when they are preserving fuel, tyes and brakes, and “lift and coast”, rather than constantly hammer on the accelerator then brakes.
2. Heavy Loading
Heavy loads in your sprinter van puts stress on brakes and rotors. As weight increases, so does the amount of pressure the brakes apply when operated, greatly reducing the brake shoe life span. If you take into account the weight of the load and then change your braking behaviour you can save the lifespan of your braking system.
3. Speeding and Abrupt Stopping
Going from high speed and then quickly slowing down is a sure way to quickly wear the brakes and rotors. Higher speeds in turn put much energy into motion which the brakes must then shed and even when slowing down rapidly they must do so in a short space of time hence producing a lot of heat. This heat can affect brake pad’s and rotor’s wear and the rotors can either warp or crack.
4. Riding the Brakes Downhill
One bad practice that shortens the brake system’s lifespan is setting the brakes all of the time while going downhill instead of using the engine for breaking. This practice ensures that the brakes are on for long thus generating a lot of heat that can result into glazed brake pads and / or warped rotors.
5. Inconsistent Maintenance
Leaving it a long time between break services can seriously impact the cost of maintenance. Regular pad changes generally extends the lifespan of the rotors. Rotors that warp because of consistently heavy breaking need to be replaced, or at least machined down. Failure to change the brake fluid, not cleaning brake parts, and neglecting initial signs of a problem often results in a big problem that increases the cost to fix.
Bottom Line…
Your behavior on the road in your Sprinter van directly determines the frequency of service and replacement of the brakes and rotors. By being aware of how your driving pattern is affecting the braking system you can ensure you extend their lifespan. Regular maintenance, and mindful driving reduces brake and rotor wear coupled but also helps you drive more safely.
Need more info or want to book a service.. just reach out and we’ll be happy to help!
