Which of the following practices can contribute to excessive brake wear?

Frequent hard braking is a practice that can significantly contribute to excessive brake wear. When a driver brakes abruptly and with a lot of force, the brake pads experience increased friction against the rotors. This action generates more heat than gentle braking, leading to accelerated wear and tear on both the brake pads and rotors. Over time, this excessive heat and friction can cause the brake components to deteriorate more quickly, resulting in the need for more frequent replacements and impacting the overall safety and performance of the vehicle.

In contrast, techniques such as driving at a constant speed or using the engine for braking are generally considered methods to minimize brake wear. Maintaining a steady speed reduces the need for braking, while engine braking diminishes the reliance on the brake system altogether. Similarly, gently applying brakes rather than using aggressive braking actions helps in extending the life of the braking system.