Driving Habits Secretly Damaging Your Car
Ignoring Warning Signs
Thanks to technological advancements, you don't have to visit an auto technician to know if something is wrong with your car. Warning lights do that for you.
Do not ignore your car's warning lights hoping that the problem will go away - things will only get worse. Ignoring warning signs is risky and allows issues that could be easily solved to escalate to huge and expensive problems.
Overloading
It is not uncommon to overload your car with suitcases, sports gear, and camping equipment when heading for a weekend getaway or vacation. However, this habit is detrimental to your vehicle's brakes, tires, and suspension.
Also, overloading your car affects its fuel economy and emissions, straining your pocket and the environment, respectively. Watch out for your car's maximum load weight, and avoid unnecessary weights.
Holding onto the Gearstick
Almost everyone is guilty of this involuntary, but poor, driving habit. Resting your hand on the gearstick causes undue pressure on the selector fork, resulting in preventable premature wear and damage to your vehicle's transmission. If you must rest your hand somewhere while driving, place it on the steering or armrest.
Driving Fast Over Bumps and Potholes
Road bumps are meant to slow down vehicles. Driving fast over bumps beats this purpose while causing extensive damage to your car's underside, suspension, and exhaust system. Similarly, slamming into potholes can cause wheel balancing issues, cracked alloys, and lumps in the tires. Slow down over bumps and potholes and maintain road safety while protecting your vehicle.
Driving with Low Fuel
With fuel prices increasing every day, it can be tempting to make use of the last drop of fuel before visiting a gas station. Nevertheless, driving with low fuel can damage your fuel pump since the fuel in the tank cools and lubricates it.
Braking Hard
At times, emergency braking is necessary. However, slamming on the brakes often strains the brakes, leading to more significant wear for brake pads and discs while increasing fuel consumption. It is best practice to brake slowly and gently for the good of your car.
Failing to Stop Before Shifting Gears
It is among the most costly driving habits as it damages the transmission, which is both labor-intensive and expensive to replace. When you change gears before stopping, especially from drive to reverse and vice versa, you force the gearbox - instead of brakes to stop your car. As a result, your transmission wears prematurely.
Dragging Brakes
When going downhill, drivers tend to brake constantly. Unfortunately, this is a bad habit that makes your brake pads and discs wear out quicker than usual. Rather than dragging your brakes, consider engaging a lower gear so that the engine controls the speed. Alternatively, you can release the accelerator to slow your vehicle.
Neglecting Routine Maintenance
Among the simplest ways to damage your vehicle is to skip service. Regular maintenance keeps your car functioning correctly, increases its lifespan, and minimizes repair bills. Also, it is cheaper to maintain a vehicle than incur the cost of repairs and replacement.
Riding the Clutch
It is a common habit for drivers with manual vehicles. It occurs when you don't take your foot off the pedal after changing gear. Consequently, your clutch wears quickly, and you need to replace it often than average, which is time-consuming and expensive.
Contact Automotive Super Sports for auto repair services in Gainesville, FL. Our trained and experienced technicians strive to fix any issues with your vehicle so you can drive confidently.
