One or two bad habits creep in for every driver, but some can cause strain and even costly long-term damage to your car. To help you avoid breakdowns and big repair bills, we share the bad driving habits that could be causing hidden damage to your car.
1. Keeping your fuel tank low
There are times when we fill up a little less fuel than we normally would just to save money. Although this driving behaviour may be wallet-friendly (particularly in these times), it is fatal to your vehicle’s heart. A fuel pump for a car must be submerged in liquid fuel so that it can function properly. If you operate a diesel engine with low fuel often, you run the danger of harming the fuel pumps and putting an excessive amount of wear and tear on them. In addition, starting your car with low fuel will harm the ignition system, raising your repair costs even more. Therefore, think twice the next time you consider only filling up your fuel tank halfway!
2. Overloading your vehicle
Modern cars are designed to carry heavy loads, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be overloaded. Your owner’s manual will often tell you your car’s maximum load weight, which will give you an indication of how much luggage you should carry as a total – an exercise often put to the test when moving house or going on a long holiday. A heavy load will put more stress on your car and its parts, which could lead to failure. If you must haul a heavy load, be sure to use a truck that is designed for the task, such as a pickup truck. And if you’re a serial hoarder and often keep things stored in the boot of your car, this could be the push you need to start throwing or donating your things!
3. Revving the engine when it’s cold
Many people believe that revving their engine before heading out can help the car warm up quicker and also enables them to drive faster. The truth is that this practice only wastes fuel and releases harmful exhaust fumes because your engine is still cold. This is one of the top bad driving habits. It introduces excessive stress on the engine components, causing additional wear and tear as well as reducing the life of the engine. The ideal way to warm up the car is to start the car and let it warm up while idling. The gradual increase in temperature will keep your vehicle in good health.
4. Pressing on the brakes too hard
The right foot is always weighed down by the need to go quickly. Fast driving, however, not only places a lot of strain on the drivetrain and transmission parts but also necessitates the use of full-force brakes to stop or slow down your car. This implies that every time you accelerate and brake, you severely abuse your brake system’s parts. To extend the life of your car, it is better for you to accelerate and decelerate gradually.
5. Avoiding basic maintenance checks and services
As a car owner, you must realize that you are more than just the driver of your vehicle; you are also its primary carer! You must make sure to regularly perform basic maintenance checks and services, including tire pressure checks, fluid levels checks and engine oil changes, in order to avoid any breakdowns. Follow your vehicle’s manufacturer’s recommendations for the timing and frequency of these routine maintenance activities. Having a comprehensive auto insurance policy that covers the cost of road assistance is another way to protect yourself from unexpected breakdowns.
To prevent breakdowns, please make sure to take care of your car and avoid these bad driving habits!