Episode

#2643: Breaking-in the Brakes

Podcast: The Best of Car Talk
Published: May 30, 2026
Duration seconds: 2043
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Canonical source: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/30/nx-s1-5835217/2643-breaking-in-the-brakes
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Summary

Colleen’s 85-yr-old dad was told by his mechanic that to properly ‘break-in his brakes’ he should be varying his speed between 30-50mph and applying the brakes periodically for several days of driving. So dad has been dutifully out on the local freeway causing mayhem by applying the brakes willy nilly and going well under the speed limit. Is dad’s mechanic correct -and is it time to plan dear old dad’s final services? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy