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Slamming on the brakes is something we’ve all had to do at some point or another. Whether a deer jumps out in front of you, or the car ahead suddenly stops short. It can sometimes be the only thing to do to avoid an accident, but do you ever stop and think about what this harsh braking actually does to your car?

Reduces fuel efficiency – When you’ve had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of you, the last thing on your mind is the gas mileage. However, if you notice yourself hitting the brakes more frequently, you could be driving too aggressively. If you race off from a stoplight, drive at high speeds, tailgate, then hit the brake pedal when you have to stop; this will lower your gas mileage by as much as 40%. Just think how much money you could save at the pump by giving yourself a little space between you and the car in front of you and minimizing fast spurts and sudden stops.

Damages the tires – When you stop too quickly, you may hear a screech or smell burnt rubber as your vehicle tries to come to a full stop. This is not good for your tires, it is called flat-spotting. Flat spotting happens when your wheels lock up and your vehicle skids across the pavement. A section of your tire stays connected to the pavement as your vehicle skids and will wear that section of the tread, creating a flat spot. Even though it may not damage your tires enough to replace them at the time, it will wear them out prematurely.

Damages the brakes – Slamming on the brakes too hard will damage the car brakes themselves. This can overheat the brake pads, causing them to wear down faster which could then cause problems with the brake rotors and suspension. The heat and pressure created by slamming on the brakes too hard can cause cracks in the brake hoses and leak brake fluid as well.

Damages the driveshaft – The driveshaft is a ball and socket configuration that connects your wheels to the engine and gives your vehicle the ability to move and turn. If you slam on the brakes, it can knock it askew. You may not even know this happened but over time the ball and socket will wear down and can cause other damage to your car.

Increases the risk of an accident – There are times when you have to hit the brakes so you don’t end up in an accident. On the other hand, if you have a habit of driving at high speeds and hitting the brakes often, you can cause an accident. Sudden braking can cause the driver behind you to rear-end your vehicle. Also, sudden braking on wet or icy roads can cause you to lose control very quickly if the ABS Brakes (Anti Lock Braking System) lock up.

How do I avoid slamming on the brakes?

Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Where possible give yourself extra time to get where you are going. Minimize fast starts and slow down to allow plenty of space from the vehicle in front of you. By giving yourself extra space, you have more time to react and brake slowly.

Where can I get my brakes checked?

If you recently had to stomp on the brake pedal too hard or the brake light appears on your dash, Hilltop Tire Service is here to help. Stop by any of our service center locations in the Des Moines metro for a quick inspection, our trained technicians know just what to look out for. They will let you know of any repairs needed. If all is well, they will tell you that too! Most importantly, we want you to get to your destination safely!