how do I get longer lasting tyres and brakes?

Currently reading:
how do I get longer lasting tyres and brakes?

x dodd

New member
Joined
Apr 3, 2011
Messages
22
Points
6
When I first registered on here someone told me about a thread a bit back which explained ways on how to get longer lasting brakes and tyres, think it was through gear changing,
just wondering if anyone new who posted the thread or just new what to do as I can't find it, Cheers!
 
For tyres use correct pressures and make sure the tracking is correct.

For fuel its Gas to go - Brakes to slow. use the correct gear for the speed you need. Dont use 2,3,&4 as a means to get to 5th. The engine is most economical at its torque peak so use the revs as necessary. Changing up too early makes the car go slower and wastes fuel. Of course screaming the revs for no reason isnt good. Just keep it spinning.

Dont use the box to slow down. Slow in your running gear and slot into the correct gear to accelerate away. Using the box to slow down is tough on gears and clutch and not necessary.

Only select 1st at less than 10 mph when 2nd cant pull you away. If stopping dont select 1st at all.

Dont touch the brakes every time you see a hazard. Some drivers do it constantly with brake lights going like a disco. All they do is polish the pads, reduce their stopping power for when they need it and wear the brakes prematurely.

Dont pull away sooo slow (im safe and economical Oh yes) or stop 10 yards short and inch forward. All this does is waste petrol, annoy everyone else and wears out your clutch.

Use the police driving methods. Accelerate quickly (not madly) to your correct speed and make good progress.

When you maintain your speed you will use less fuel and get there quicker. Brake for actual hazards but otherwise avoid using the brakes all they do is turn your expensive speed (and petrol) into heat that you then have to put back again.

On A roads watch the length of visible road ahead. If its getting longer you can accelerate or maintain speed. If its getting shorter (road bend, junction, slow vehicles, etc) slow down. when you see the road opening up again speed back up to your cruise speed. This allows you to safely maintain speed and often you can overtake slower cars even if your car is not very powerful. You are not relying on brute grunt to get by.

On M-ways for every 2x you look ahead look 1x in the mirror(s). Then you can judge overtakes and lane changes with minimal slowing down.
 
I'd agree with most of above except the wording of accelerate quickly. Certainly don't labour the engine but you dont need to use more than 40% throttle.

I found during the eco:drive GP that by accelerating just 2-3 seconds slower brought my average MPG for a 14 mile journey up 5mpg (60 vs 55).
 
I should have qualified "quickly". - I meant make good progress. There is very little to be gained by accelerating so slow you never reach a reasonable speed. But of course booting it is wasteful.

In diesels the economy gains are even less and pootling around too slow you can clog the EGR system and the exhaust catalysts as the flows are too slow and gasses not hot enough to keep things clean.
 
Back
Top