what makes your breaks last longer?

a.) slowly applying brake from a distance until you stop

OR

b.) braking right before the stop sign or traffic light

isn't option 'a' the same thing as 'riding the breaks'? won't that wear out your brakes even quicker? also, i've heard that option 'a' can warp your rotors.

 

Lighter application is better.

 

Less heat over a longer period of time is your friend.Choice "A".
If you come from a hard stop (say 90-0 MPH on an off ramp ) and hold your foot on the brake pedal,as the rest of the rotor cools,the part where the pad clamps the rptor will hold the heat causing uneven cooling and can cause warping that way.I sometimes put the car in neutral (although I wish it was a clutch) after a heavy brake on an off ramp or if the ground isn't level I'll stop a few extra feet back and slowly creep up with light pedal pressure to allow more even cooling of the rotors.

 

What do they teach in drivers Ed?......

Lightly apply the brake before you stop.

Riding the brakes is when you hold the brake down a long hill.

 

thanks, i was just making sure. i always use light pressure over long distances anyways.