Saving the Brakes

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7211, 18 July 1933, Page 4

Saving the Brakes

Habits in driving are among ' the prime factors, in.'tho success of the motorist with his brakes. Leading author-■ itics have expressed the.conviction that proper use of brakes will riot only sayo thorn, but also improve, them- ' Some of the practices whicli prevent brakes froan' maintaining, maximum efficiency include, tho following:— Allowing the wheels to slido where the road surface is wet or slippery, thus wearing tho tyres unevenly, and' permitting uneven traction to upset brake equalisation. Failure to time one’s driving to match tho action of automatic traffic signals. Going too fast over tho tops of hills so as to require excessive use of the brakes on the down grade. Driving with the holding brake partly engaged. Failure to have moving parts of tho braking system lubricated and kept free from rust. Insufficient operation of any one sot of brake shoes means excessive wear on the other three, which then must carry the whole load. Service men frequently find individual brakes which do not release properly. This results in excessive wear on' the lining and throws the entire system out of equalisation. Brakes should have frequent inspection, but constant readjustments should not be necessary.