Your car was an expensive purchase, and it’s something that you’ll want to keep running smoothly and safely for many years to come. Preventative maintenance is important, as we always make sure to discuss in our blogs. But beyond routine services, there are some habits that could be doing more harm than good to your vehicle; oftentimes, we don’t even realize we’ve adopted bad habits. In a recent article from MSN, they give drivers some tips that could save damage to their vehicle over time. Do you do any of the following bad habits? If so, the New Year is the perfect time to fix these bad habits.
- Abusing the clutch – if you drive a stick shift, you may be too hard on it – and you aren’t alone. Many drivers, when they come to a stop, keep the clutch all the way to the floor. You’ll be able to inch forward and be ready to take off when the light turns green, sure, but when you do this to the clutch, its surfaces scrape against each other, wearing them out and creating the possibility of failure. Instead of riding the clutch with the shifter in gear, find Neutral with the shifter and let the clutch out.
- Carrying too much weight in your car – the more the car weighs, the more stress it places on its drivetrain, suspension, and brakes, and the more fuel it consumes. Limit the amount of cargo you carry around on a daily basis and just carry the essentials.
- Riding your brakes when driving downhill – we certainly want you to slow down and be safe, but did you know that this could actually cause heat to build up in the brake pads and rotors? This will not only cause wear but can also increase the risk that the brakes will overheat or warp?
- Ignoring the parking brake – use it to help offset all the weight of your vehicle, even when you’re parked on even pavement. Most people didn’t know that this is a good thing to do!
- Letting the gas tank stay low – putting only small amounts of gas in at one time could actually damage a vehicle’s fuel system. Many fuel pumps keep cool by staying submerged in the fuel in the tank. Put a little extra in when you’re able to and it will help to preserve the fuel pump.
- Shifting too quickly from reverse to drive – over time it can damage your drivetrain. Come to a complete stop before shifting and accelerating.
- Revving the vehicle before the car engine is warm – try to wait at least 60 seconds before you get on the road, and everything will have warmed up enough for reliable performance. In our humble opinion, this is one of the most important tips listed.
- Flooring it when you don’t need to – give your vehicle a break. Sure, it can be an adrenaline rush when you accelerate and speed up, but all you are really doing is burning a whole lot of fuel and putting a heavy load on your drivetrain. Full-force stops cause rapid wear to the brake pads and rotors. Both habits are asking for expensive auto repair bills down the road.
- Using the shifter as a hand rest – many drivers do this, but it puts strain on the transmission’s bushings and synchronizers, leading to premature wear. Always remember, 10 and 2!
- Ignoring warning signs – your vehicle will usually tell you if something is wrong via squeaks, knocks, vibrations, lights, and so on. Have your vehicle serviced by a trusted auto repair shop at the first sign of an issue. You don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road.
Whether you’re guilty of all or some of these habits, they are excellent reminders of how we should be driving our vehicles – with caution and care. As we enter the New Year, slow down a little and drive the way your vehicle deserves. If you need auto repairs or routine auto services done, give us a call!
