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[aaronjb]

Then again, I was taught to slow down on the gears. Thats all wrong now.

I was about to say "Yet you get through brake pads every 5k?" .. then remembered the Omega is automatic 

[TheBoy]

Then again, I was taught to slow down on the gears. Thats all wrong now.

I was about to say "Yet you get through brake pads every 5k?" .. then remembered the Omega is automatic 

My old works Escort 1.8D van had fresh pads when they hit metal, every 3.5k.  I did every other set, reducing the number of bollockings for 'misuse', and used to laugh when they bollocked me for 'only' getting 7k from pads (and tyres normally). If only they knew.  That was a manual

[TheBoy]

I should add, the Escort has woefully inadequate brakes, which certainly didn't help with pad longevity. Nor did the amount of weight I had in the back and on the roof. The only time it stopped quickly was when the front of a Capri coming the other way helped it slow down .

[aaronjb]

Then again, I was taught to slow down on the gears. Thats all wrong now.

I was about to say "Yet you get through brake pads every 5k?" .. then remembered the Omega is automatic 

My old works Escort 1.8D van had fresh pads when they hit metal, every 3.5k.  I did every other set, reducing the number of bollockings for 'misuse', and used to laugh when they bollocked me for 'only' getting 7k from pads (and tyres normally). If only they knew.  That was a manual

Good lord.. I think I can safely say I don't ever want to get into a car with you I can't even imagine how hard you must have to drive to get that kind of mileage out of brakes..

[TheBoy]

Then again, I was taught to slow down on the gears. Thats all wrong now.

I was about to say "Yet you get through brake pads every 5k?" .. then remembered the Omega is automatic 

My old works Escort 1.8D van had fresh pads when they hit metal, every 3.5k.  I did every other set, reducing the number of bollockings for 'misuse', and used to laugh when they bollocked me for 'only' getting 7k from pads (and tyres normally). If only they knew.  That was a manual

Good lord.. I think I can safely say I don't ever want to get into a car with you I can't even imagine how hard you must have to drive to get that kind of mileage out of brakes..

Nah, it was just the shit Escorts.  The Maestro I had previous easily managed 10k on the pads.  Never crashed that either (but did another Maestro, clipped a tree on a track, escaping from somewhere that had freaked me out).

[doz]

My old man had a Isuzu Trooper which he brought from new. In 100k miles he had three sets of front pads and two rears. My brother took the car on and he did that many in 20k miles!!! Just proves it's down to how you drive not the car.

[TheBoy]

Just proves it's down to how you drive not the car.

Its a combination. Some brakes are under specc'd, and this hurts how long they last.

[aaronjb]

Then again, I was taught to slow down on the gears. Thats all wrong now.

I was about to say "Yet you get through brake pads every 5k?" .. then remembered the Omega is automatic 

My old works Escort 1.8D van had fresh pads when they hit metal, every 3.5k.  I did every other set, reducing the number of bollockings for 'misuse', and used to laugh when they bollocked me for 'only' getting 7k from pads (and tyres normally). If only they knew.  That was a manual

Good lord.. I think I can safely say I don't ever want to get into a car with you I can't even imagine how hard you must have to drive to get that kind of mileage out of brakes..

Nah, it was just the shit Escorts.  The Maestro I had previous easily managed 10k on the pads.  Never crashed that either (but did another Maestro, clipped a tree on a track, escaping from somewhere that had freaked me out).

From memory Maestros (esp. the diesels) didn't really go fast enough to need brakes

Speaking of - changed a set of rears on a friends DTi the other day that had been in for 105,000! Only changed because they disintegrated, still life left on the bits of material that were still stuck to the back plates

[TheBoy]

From memory Maestros (esp. the diesels) didn't really go fast enough to need brakes

Speaking of - changed a set of rears on a friends DTi the other day that had been in for 105,000! Only changed because they disintegrated, still life left on the bits of material that were still stuck to the back plates

Our Maestros were 1.3 A series. But still faster than the 1.8D Escorts they replaced them with

Our old Rover was still on the original rear shoes at 116k.  It had only had about 4 sets of front pads in its life.

[aaronjb]

Our Maestros were 1.3 A series. But still faster than the 1.8D Escorts they replaced them with

Ah.. my dad and I (separately, some years apart) both had diseasel Maestros - at least I can use the excuse that mine was just a loaner from the garage - I can't imagine anything slower or more unpleasant to drive

Even my 1.1 A series powered Allegro was quicker..

[feeutfo]

Just proves it's down to how you drive not the car.

Its a combination. Some brakes are under specc'd, and this hurts how long they last.

it proves the need to buy brakes that match driving style. No point buying expensive brakes if the driver never uses that performance. Likewise, no point buying brakes that underperformance for that individual.

[Elite_L0ver]

Just proves it's down to how you drive not the car.

Its a combination. Some brakes are under specc'd, and this hurts how long they last.

it proves the need to buy brakes that match driving style. No point buying expensive brakes if the driver never uses that performance. Likewise, no point buying brakes that underperformance for that individual.

i concur

[Nick W]

Then again, I was taught to slow down on the gears. Thats all wrong now.

Not wrong, just out of date.
The system of driving taught in Britain was developed in the early thirties when brakes on car were inefficient at best. So, you needed to slow down using engine braking, which in lots of cases was more effective, reliable and often quicker than using the brakes on their own. This is not the case with modern cars! And what would you rather replace; clutches and gearboxes or brake linings?

As for the original question, if stationary for any length of time, then the handbrake should be on. Doesn't matter if it's an auto or manual. And being in neutral is probably a good idea; autos do creep so there's always some strain on the gearbox, and holding the clutch down on a manual doesn't do the release bearing, cable/hydraulics and the fingers in the clutch cover any good.

Also, if you're stopped to turn across any traffic, make sure the front wheels are straight!

[TheBoy]

This is not the case with modern cars! And what would you rather replace; clutches and gearboxes or brake linings?

I still use both in a manual. "Every little helps"

Seriously, I like to change down, be it car or bike, and always be in the 'right' gear at any particular moment, in case anything happens. Although I know this is in conflict with how emergency response drivers are taught...

[doz]

Funny you should say that. I went for a days training on the bike with the Cops. I kept getting bollicked for being in to high a gear in town or slow conditions. The Copper explained that it would hinder me if I need a squirt of speed to get out of trouble. It was one of the best days I've ever had. I learned so much I plan on doing it again this summer.