Which of the following can cause excessive wear on brake pads?

Excessive wear on brake pads can primarily be attributed to heavy braking or riding the brake pedal. When a driver consistently applies the brakes heavily, it generates increased heat and friction, leading to faster degradation of the brake pad material. Frequent heavy braking can occur in situations such as stop-and-go traffic, downhill driving, or aggressive driving styles where the driver relies heavily on the brakes to slow down the vehicle. Additionally, riding the brake pedal—where the driver applies slight pressure to the brake while driving—keeps the brake pads in constant contact with the brake rotor, leading to unnecessary wear over time.

Understanding that brake pads are designed to withstand a certain amount of wear, practices that involve constant or heavy braking can significantly shorten their lifespan and necessitate more frequent replacements, resulting in increased maintenance costs for the vehicle owner.