Bad habits can easily creep in when you drive. You may not even realise you are doing them and some of them can secretly cause strain and even costly long-term damage to your car. As your car is among one of the most expensive assets that you rely on in your everyday life, how you drive your car can negatively (or positively) affect how long it lasts.
To help dodge annoying breakdowns and protect yourself from costly repair bills, here are ten common driving habits to avoid. Your car and your bank balance will thank you for it.
1. Hitting potholes and speed bumps
Most of us have driven over a pothole or taken on a speed bump faster than we should. However, the dip of a pothole or curve of a speed bump makes for more than a bumpy ride.
The impact from hitting a pothole can damage your car’s steering, alignment and suspension, and driving too fast over a speed bump can damage the front, back and underneath of your car, including the exhaust system.
It's best to stay alert, avoid potholes or take them on gently and slow down for speed bumps. Your car will stay in better shape for longer and you’ll help keep other road users and pedestrians safe.
2. Driving on an empty tank
The warning light has just flicked on (again) and you are getting low on fuel. Apart from taking a gamble on how long it might last, driving on an empty tank or almost ‘E’ is not so good for your car.
Driving regularly on an empty tank consistently strains your fuel pump. It could start sucking in air, which could lead to overheating and failure.
Additionally, operating your tank too low could result in debris getting lodged in your fuel pump. Any little particles that make their way into the gas tank tend to settle at the bottom and stay there until your car attempts to scavenge every last drop of fuel. This increases the risk of debris clogging your fuel pump or fuel filter.
Always keep the gas tank at least 1/4 full to avoid costly repairs down the road and relieve the fear of being stranded on the side of the road.
3. Shifting from drive to reverse before stopping
No matter how much of a rush you are in, shifting from Reverse to Drive or vice versa before the car stops is never a good option. The design of the gearbox and transmission is to change gears up and down and not to bring the car to a stop.
Shifting to reverse before stopping will cause serious and very costly damage to the transmission. Remember whether you drive an automatic or a manual, use your brakes to completely stop before changing gears.
4. Riding the brakes
You may find that when you are driving downhill or in stop-and-go traffic, you leave your foot on your brake pedal for long periods of time. This can lead to your brake pads overheating and losing some of their stopping power, making it harder for you to stop quickly and safely. To avoid riding the brakes, ease off the accelerator earlier, give yourself a little extra space between you and the car in front, and shift into a lower gear. When you do need to brake, lightly push the pedal, and then let go to cool the brakes.
When you regularly brake suddenly or too late, the brake pads and discs wear out faster. To avoid shortening the lifespan of your braking system, always brake gradually as you approach, and glide to a smooth and gentle stop.
5. Overloading with too much weight
Many of us are guilty of overloading our cars for the family holiday, when moving houses and more. Overloading strains the tyres, brakes and the suspension - not to mention increases your fuel consumption and emissions. Plus, damage from overloading is often not part of a vehicle warranty and if you have an accident your car may not be covered by your insurance policy.
6. Ignoring warning lights
Maybe you’re not sure what they mean, or you’re simply choosing to overlook them, but the warning lights on your car's dashboard are the way your car communicates its problems.
Whenever you see a little red warning light on the dash, your best bet is to consult your car's manual. It will help you know what needs a mechanic’s attention and what you can remedy yourself.
Some of the essential warning lights to look out for include:
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battery
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engine/ECU
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braking system
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power steering
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airbags
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oil pressure
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cooling systems
7. Revving a cold engine
After parking your car overnight, the engine is cold and the oil naturally settles at its lowest point, thanks to gravity. When starting your engine, avoid revving the engine to warm it up. Simply turn the key and let it idle initially and then drive with light throttle, allowing the oil to circulate and lubricate the engine parts.
Without enough time to heat up and properly circulate the oil, the engine components aren’t protected like they normally are and this friction can wear down parts faster than they should. Replacing these parts can be very expensive.
8. Riding the clutch
If you own a manual car, it may be comfortable to rest your foot against the clutch pedal, especially when you are inching forward in slow-moving traffic. Riding the clutch is never a good idea as it strains the clutch plate and shortens its working life. Moreover, a warranty doesn't cover clutch components as it is a wear and tear item.
Use the off-clutch footrest, if your vehicle has one, to ensure your foot has left the clutch pedal. Also, keep the handbrake on and the car in neutral when starting from a hill until you're ready to move if your car does not have hill hold control.
9. Neglecting a regular service schedule
With busy lives, it's tempting to skip the schedule set by your car's manufacturer. Avoiding or delaying a service can result in unexpected breakdowns and costly damage. Routine maintenance checks will help you replace any items that have had wear and tear and provide early detection of issues before they become major repairs in the future.
Stick to the regular service schedule to maintain your car's health and to ensure everything is at its best for a longer life.
10. Not washing your car regularly
While technically not a driving habit, having a dirty car is not so good for the car’s exterior and your general safety. If left unwashed, dirt, bird droppings, and tarseal splatters can eat away at your car’s clear coat over time and the vehicle body protection can be compromised.
To avoid problems like rusting, pitting, and fading, show your car some love and give it a wash and wax regularly. This may need to be more often if you have gone somewhere particularly muddy or dusty. If you live or holiday near the sea, the salt spray is particularly corrosive, which is why it is extremely important to regularly wash the outside of your car, as well as the undercarriage.
Do any of these sound familiar? Don’t panic. The first step to correcting bad driving habits is recognising them. Once you are underway, you’ll reduce the risk of avoidable and annoying repairs, and you will look and run smoothly.
And if you're considering purchasing a new vehicle, download our complete Guide to Buying a New Car, so you can implement these tips from the get-go!
