We all love our cars and care for them dearly. You could be someone who never misses a car maintenance schedule or skips a car wash routine. But your poor driving habits could be secretly damaging your vehicle without you even noticing it. Don’t be worry – we’re here to help you. In this post, we’re listing ten driving habits that are bad for your car.
1. Keeping your fuel tank low
Never drive your vehicle with fuel less than a quarter tank. That’s because the fuel pump needs to be submerged completely to work without any hassle. Also, gasoline acts as a coolant for your fuel system. If you drive with low fuel, the chances of your fuel system being damaged are high. Therefore, if you notice when you’re low on fuel, top it up immediately.
2. Shifting from reverse to drive without halting
Whether manual or automatic transmission, speed shifting from reverse to drive is a mistake most of us are guilty of. Shifting gear without coming to a stop will damage your vehicle’s transmission system. Remember, transmission repairs are often very expensive. To prevent this from happening, the best thing to follow is to come to a complete halt and then shift to reverse or drive.
3. Revving the engine
If you’re someone who revs the engine to warm it quickly, we suggest you stop it immediately. Revving the engine can create a sudden change in temperature inside and cause considerable damage to components present there. The best way to warm up your car is to start the engine and let it stay idle for a few minutes.
4. Hitting speed bumps and potholes
Slow down your car if you notice a speed bump or a pothole ahead. Driving straight into them is a habit you should stop doing because it can damage your car’s steering, alignment, and suspension. Damage to the components in any of these systems is going to cost you a fortune! Also, slowing down near a speed bump is for your safety and others on the road.
5. Ignoring what your car is trying to tell you
Your car communicates its problems through the lights in your dashboard. So, never ignore the warning lights on your car. It means some of the components are malfunctioning and need to be repaired or replaced. It could be a simple mechanical problem, and get it fixed at the earliest before it turns into a big issue. If you’re not familiar with some of the warning lights, a simple google search can help you. Having a car maintenance checklist in place and regularly following it can stop your dashboard from looking like a lit-up Christmas tree!
6. Slamming on the brakes
Do you slam your brakes often? It’s time you get rid of the habit. By slamming on the brakes, you can cause strain on the braking system. Also, your vehicle’s brake pads, discs, and other components in the braking system will wear out faster.
7. Applying excessive brakes in a downhill
Most of us constantly apply brakes while driving downhill, which can cause overheating and damage to the brake pads and rotors. Instead, shift to a lower gear and let the engine control the speed – use brakes only when necessary.
8. Resting the hand on the gear stick
An image of you driving with one hand on the wheel and one on the gear stick sure looks cool. But at what cost? This driving habit is bad for your car, and let us explain why. Your car’s gear stick is connected to a selector fork which makes contact with a rotation collar. By placing your hand on the lever, you’re applying pressure on the selector fork, resulting in premature wear. To avoid this, remember one of your first lessons in the driving school: Keep both your hands on the wheel.
9. Loading your vehicle with too much weight
Yes, your automobile can carry heavy items that do not mean you load it up with unwanted stuff. Heavy items in your car can negatively impact the fuel economy, suspension, and other systems. Dispose of necessary items in your trunk and carry only essential ones.
10. Riding the clutch
Riding the clutch is a bad driving habit, like resting your hands on the gear stick. By repeatedly applying slight pressure on the clutch, you’re causing damage to the clutch plate. Make sure your foot is off the clutch pedal while you’re not using it. Also, If you have a clutch footrest, use it.
11. Not washing your car regularly
Yes, this is not a driving habit. But as a responsible car owner, you need to wash your vehicle regularly for hassle-free maintenance. If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, you can visit a car wash near you. Use the Way.com app (available on iOS and Android) or website to find top-rated and affordable car washes near you.
Do you know other driving habits that are bad for your car? Let us know about them, and we’ll feature them in our next list.
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