Cars are not just a mode of transport or a status symbol but a partner on the road that we must take care of and give much attention to maintain its good condition and can last for a long time. Some of us rely so much on cars, that’s why maintaining their performance and life is an important thing to do, not just for the car but for the driver and passengers as well as the pedestrians on the road.
However, keeping up with its scheduled maintenance is not enough when preserving your car’s life. Did you know that even the way your car is driven can cause small damage to your car or at worst make irreparable damage?
So, in this article, we will talk about the 10 Bad Driving Habits That Damage Your Car.
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10 Bad Driving Habits that Damage Your Car
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1. Overload Car
When you and your family are going on a trip make sure that the luggage or cargo you will bring won’t exceed the maximum capacity that the car can hold. The heavier the weight, the more pressure it can give to your car especially on the suspension, brakes, and drivetrains. It is better to only bring what is needed than to cause unnecessary damage to your car.
2. Disregarding Warning Signs
Always look at the warning signs on the dashboard because it is a sign that your car needs your immediate attention. Always check the airbag, engine lights, oil pressure system, cooling system, braking system, and any warning lights that you see on the dashboard. You can ignore it but be prepared to pay a very costly repair for disregarding your warning lights.
3. Hitting Potholes
Sometimes when driving at a high speed, hitting potholes can’t be avoided especially during the night or when rainy days. But if you don’t want to damage your car particularly in the steering and suspension, it is better to stay focused on the road and slow down when you see a pothole that you can’t avoid to minimize the damage.
4. Driver Over Speed Bumps
It is the same when you drive over the speed bumps without slowing down, it can cause damage to your front or rear car, steering, suspension, and sometimes the exhaust system. Better to slow down when you see speed bumps for you, your car, and the pedestrians’ safety.
5. Riding the Brakes
When going downhill it is better to not drag your brakes or ride your foot on the brakes, it will wear down your brake pads or at worst tear them resulting in replacing them often. It’s better to switch to low gear and drive cautiously while applying some light braking then release for the brakes to cool.
6. Don’t Rev a Cold Engine
Allow your engine to warm up for a few minutes before revving the engine, to let the oil time circulate and accelerate smoothly. Revving a cold engine will just cause unnecessary wear on engine parts or sudden changes in the temperature that can damage car parts.
7. Not Stopping Before Shifting from Reverse to Drive
It is advisable for a complete stop before switching gears. Driving while the car is still in reverse is bad for a transmission car and can cause wear and tear on the transmission band which is a costly repair. So be sure to stop before switching gears.
8. Forgetting the Parking Brake
Using a Parking Brake is a must to do when you are parking your car. It is designed to keep the wheels locked from moving so it is better to not forget to use the parking Brake before you put your transmission into park.
9. Running Out of Fuel
Fuel works as a coolant in your fuel system and helps to prevent overheating and malfunction to the car parts. The fuel system and fuel pump can be entirely damaged if the fuel runs out completely. So be sure to always check your fuel tank to avoid any unnecessary harm to your car.
10. Resting Your Hand on the Gearstick
Keeping your hands on the steering wheels is a good habit, but not on the gearstick. When you keep your hand on the gearstick it is causing unnecessary pressure to the selector fork and can suddenly wear.
Conclusion
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Some bad habits are only small but they can cause a large problem later on especially if consistently doing so. It is better to practice avoiding these small bad habits to prevent wasting money on an unnecessary repair. And, while some are nothing to worry about, others can still do some serious damage to the cars like expedite wear and tear or worse, lead to irreparable damage if not given some attention. At the least, it is only a simple repair or replacing some parts and won’t be much expensive unlike large damage which is more costly than the car you bought.
We know bad habits are hard to stop but if you want to maintain the good life of your car and can last for a very long time, you may need to think about how to stop those bad habits soon. Regardless of how seasoned a driver you are or an expert, taking care of your car is still one of the priorities to not waste your hard-earned money on unnecessary repairs.
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Written by: Esther Abranilla
