Is friction helping or hurting your car? The answer is both. Learn the nuances of how friction affects your vehicle in good and bad ways in this quick read.
Friction is one of the world’s most prevalent forces. It is a resistive force that arises when two surfaces interact. It affects everything, including your vehicle. But is friction good or bad for cars? The answer is both, and we’re here to explore the nuances of this fact below!
When Friction Is Good
Friction is the reason anything in your car works the way it does. Without it, driving would be an absolute disaster. Below are two key ways friction works in your favor.
1. Stopping Safely
Imagine slamming on the brakes, but your car doesn’t stop. Sounds terrifying, right? That’s what would happen without friction. Your brakes work by creating friction between the brake pads and rotors, which slows down your wheels and ultimately brings your car to a halt.
2. Keeping Your Tires on the Road
Tires rely on friction to get traction on the road. Without it, your car would skid at every turn, no matter how slow you’re going. When your tires have the right amount of traction, you get better handling, safer cornering, and smoother acceleration.
When Friction Turns Against You
On the flip side, friction can cause a whole lot of headaches for car owners. It’s responsible for so much wear and tear in the following ways.
1. Heat Buildup
Friction generates heat. Your engine, brakes, and transmission generate extreme heat due to friction between moving parts. You can’t prevent heat buildup in your car, but you can control it. Mainly, get regular oil changes because motor oil contributes to engine cooling, and practice responsible driving.
2. Component Wear
The reason brake pads, tires, and clutches don’t last forever is because of friction. Each time you brake, drive, or shift gears, some material is worn away. Again, you can’t and wouldn’t want to stop friction from occurring; all you can do is perform regular maintenance to minimize its harmful effects.
What We Should Learn From Friction
Friction is both good and bad for cars, and now you know the full extent of how it impacts your car’s performance, safety, and longevity. Remember to pay attention to your tires, brakes, and engine oil because a little regular maintenance goes a long way in managing friction and keeping your ride running like a dream.