One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method that comprises determining if a slider of a data storage device is to perform a read or write operation with a disk of the data storage device. If the slider is to perform the read or write operation, the slider is set at a grazing contact with the disk for a predefined time frame to perform the read or write operation. The predefined time frame is approximately how long the slider can be in grazing contact with the disk without experiencing any substantial instability. After the predefined time frame expires, the slider is caused to move out of contact with the disk.