5 Driving Habits That Ruin Your Car

Human beings and the society are flawed, so it is natural to make mistakes while we attempt to be perfectionists. Driving is fun, but it comes with great responsibility. We all break traffic rules – some of us more than others. Auto accidents are on the rise and wrongful deaths happen every day, but it’s a norm now so nobody pays attention. While habits like tailgating and going over the speed limit are mostly intentional (because we are willing to risk our lives), some of our involuntarily driving habits are busting our car under the hood. As a result, your car is deteriorating faster than it should, and a visit to the mechanic will be due much sooner than necessary. It is peak time for breaking the toxic habits and saving yourself a load of uncalled-for expenses.

#1 Speeding over Potholes and Speed Bumps

Some city streets just lack proper construction; few days of bad weather or the passage of a dozen heavy vehicles ruptures them within days. Nobody is eager to fix them anytime soon either, so the formed potholes keep getting bigger and deeper; sooner or later it gets impossible to avoid them, unless your car has wings. Driving right through the lacerations causes serious damage to the car’s alignment, suspension, and steering. Similarly, speed bumps are made to slow you down, so doing the opposite will not be fruitful. If your car drives in proximity to the ground, the lower body shall encounter massive wear and tear. 

#2 Keeping one hand on the Gearstick

During Driver’s Ed, your instructor must have told you to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times, so why don’t you? Many of us are accustomed to resting one hand on the gear shifter, which is a bad idea indeed. The gearstick is connected to selector fork that is supposed to stroke a rotating collar for short intervals. By placing our hand on the gearstick, we force the selector fork to remain in contact with the rotating collar for a long time, causing premature deterioration. 

#3 Driving on a Nearly Empty Tank

Gasoline plays the role of a coolant in your car’s fuel system, so never let it dry out completely. Make sure to hit a gas station when the fuel gauge indicates that you’re running low. Do not assume that you are good for another 50 miles, as insufficient fuel can cause overheating and breakdown of various car parts. Keep you tank at least half full at all times to avoid any inconvenience. 

#4 Revving a Cold Engine

Popular belief is that using your car to travel short distances only on a regular basis is awful for the machine because the engine oil stays cold (causing friction and erosion of metallic parts). On a practical note, all vehicles start at a low temperature, and revving the engine immediately is what causes the damage. When the car is powered off, the oil sinks to its lowest point. Therefore, start the car and wait 10 to 20 seconds before you set off; this will provide sufficient time for the oil to circulate and warm up the engine. 

#5 Slamming the Brake Pedal Downhill

Driving down a steep road can be intimidating; so many drivers glue their foot to the brake pedal, as deceleration becomes easy. This puts too much pressure on the brake pads and rotors, which compromises the car’s stopping power. They will stop working after some time and require replacement. The superior alternative is to abandon the accelerator and shift to a lower gear. P.S: Lack of maintenance makes a car more prone to car accidents, so never ignore your dashboard lights. If you have suffered personal injuries or vehicle mutilation due to another party’s faulty car, contact a Car Accident King to help you recover damages.

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This post was written by Mark Kennedy