Driving for a rideshare service puts a lot of hard, stop-and-go miles on a car in a short time - and brakes feel it first. Managing brake wear is part of running the numbers as a rideshare driver. Here is what to know.
Why rideshare eats brakes
Rideshare miles are mostly city driving - constant stop-and-go, traffic, and pickups - which is the hardest kind of use on brakes; see do brakes wear faster in the city. High mileage in a short time means pads and rotors wear out far sooner than for an average driver; see how long pads last.
Front brakes lead
All that stopping loads the front brakes hardest, so front pads and rotors wear first; see why front brakes wear faster. Expect to service the fronts more often than a typical commuter would.
Manage the cost
Smooth, anticipatory braking - coasting to slowdowns instead of hard stops - stretches pad life and saves fuel; see brakes and fuel economy. Inspecting the brakes on a regular schedule catches wear before it damages rotors and turns into a bigger bill.
Budget for it
Factor brake replacement into your per-mile costs, and buy quality pads that last rather than the cheapest that wear fast; see when to replace pads. Fit quality pads and hardware.