We’ve put together a list of driving habits that may be harmful to your vehicle without you realizing it.
9. Using engine brakes to reduce your speed.
Engine breaking can damage your clutch and transmission if you use it to reduce your speed. The same happens when you shift gears to brake especially when driving at fast speeds. Use your brake pedals lightly if you want to slow down.
8. Constantly resting your hand on the gearstick.
Resting your hand on the gearstick will eventually lead to premature wear on the selector fork. That’s because the gear stick is connected to it. Keep your hands on the wheel.
7. Overloading your vehicle.
Good quality cars are designed to carry heavy loads but this shouldn’t encourage you to overload your vehicle frequently. You can check the owner’s manual for the maximum load weight of your car and avoid reaching this limit. The greater the weight, the more strain you’re putting on the drivetrain, suspension and brakes.
6. Changing from drive to reverse before coming to a stop.
The automatic gearbox is designed to shift gears, not to stop your vehicle. Shifting from reverse to drive before coming to a stop is bad for the transmission as it can cause wear and tear on the band, and to repair it can cost a lot of money.
5. Hitting speed bumps and potholes.
About 30% of vehicle damage is caused by driving over potholes and speed bumps without slowing down. The impact leads to tire lumps, cracked alloys and buckled wheels, and it also affects the wheel balancing and tracking.
4. Neglecting warning lights.
Warning lights on your dashboard should never be ignored. If you see warnings related to the Engine/ECU, airbag, power steering failure, braking system, cooling system and oil pressure, you need to have it checked by a reputable car repair service as soon as possible.
3. Revving the engine when cold
Accelerating when the engine is still cold is bad for your car. The engine oil needs to fully warm up so it has time to circulate around the engine and prevent any unnecessary wear and tear.
2. Riding the clutch.
Riding the clutch typically happens when you fail to take your foot off the pedal after you switch gears and this can cause excessive wear and tear. Leave the car in neutral when doing hill starts and make sure your foot is off the clutch pedal after changing gear.
1. Braking too late.
For emergency stops, sudden brakes are a must. But if you make a habit of late braking, this puts a lot of strain on the braking system and will also cause excessive wear to your brake pads and discs.
Avoid these habits if you want your car to last a long time! That said, you should also make sure to properly maintain your car. Get your car washed regularly at Auto Bell.
Learn why you should not ride the clutch here: