Nov 20th, 2008 by Yeti
Today Kimbuhley is chewing very slowly the small bites of crow she is forced to eat. I took the dusty-but-trusty Civic in to the dealership to have the 80k mile service and an oil change. It’s a bit past 80k, but who’s counting? I was near certain that this time I would need a brake pad job to replace the ones the car came with from the factory in 2001. Those of you who *are* counting remember that last time they told me the front pads had about 20% left. This time they said there was 30-35%! That’s right, my temperate style of driving has actually added life to my brakepads. I can only assume that while I’m scrubbing speed through a corner with a downshift I am somehow accreting brake dust from other drivers who presumably ride the middle pedal through the turn. Some people would not appreciate the frugality I bring to the process of slowing down but my dearest Kim had, for the briefest of moments, a look on her face which said so clearly, “You have amazingly reversed the thermodynamic laws of nature and rendered powerless the erosive force of friction and I am truly aware that I am in the presence of greatness”.
So that’s how it’s done. We were told a similar story a couple of sevices back and we still have the same brake pads.
Actually, that look said something else. It was, “Seriously? You believe that hogwash? Those people clearly don’t know what they’re doing and they’re playing you for a fool.”
And I’ve ridden with you. You, sir, are a frightening driver, to say the very least. The only reason your brakes are still good is because you never use them. You never slow down.
I slow down when I have to, it’s just that I don’t use the brakes as much when I do. Just ask that possum whose life I saved by reacting with a swerve instead of a brake when we came around that bend. Yes yes, there was a guardrail over there and behind that a sheer rock cliff. I split the two like it was nothing!
Mmmm Hmmmm. Cool story, car nerd! And then what happened?