We are all guilty of some driving habits that aren’t exactly what we were taught in driving school or in driver’s education. But it’s easy to fall into the habit of doing something, and it can be hard to reverse it. However, here at Good Works Auto Repair, our main goal is to maintain your vehicle, not repair it. We firmly believe that preventative maintenance, along with good driving habits, will help you to drive a vehicle that is safer, smoother and will last longer with less major auto repairs along the way. We love sharing our favorite tips and articles with you so that you can enjoy your vehicle and not worry as much about fixing it. A little education about your vehicle can go a long way.
A recent article from MSN shares some bad habits that we are all guilty of, but could be damaging your vehicle more than you know. Whether you need to change one, a few, or all of these bad habits, starting the New Year off right could keep your vehicle healthier this time around.
- Ignoring the parking brake – yes, even on level pavement using your parking brake can help take away some of the weight that your vehicle will deal with.
- Keeping your gas tank low – we know that gas doesn’t come cheap, but only putting in a few dollars at a time isn’t good for your vehicle. Many fuel pumps keep cool by staying submerged in the fuel in the tank, so if you’re regularly running at a quarter full or less, you may end up needing a fuel pump replacement sooner than anticipated.
- Shifting from reverse to drive too quickly – the sudden direction change isn’t good for your vehicle and can damage your drivetrain. Always come to a complete stop before shifting.
- Revving the engine before your vehicle has warmed up – give it 60 seconds or so to get your car warmed up before you hit the road. Waiting a minute or two helps distribute oil throughout the engine and get the engine block and engine oil up to temperature.
- Flooring it when you don’t need to – it might feel good but it can also damage your vehicle. Plus, it uses more fuel. Avoid sudden braking or accelerating too quickly … smooth and steady is the name of the game.
- Using the shifter as a hand rest – it is so convenient, but it also puts strain on the transmission bushings and synchronizers, leading to premature wear.
- Abusing the clutch – this is something that a lot of drivers do and don’t really realize. When you come to a stoplight, for example, it is easy to keep the clutch pressed to the floor so that you can creep forward or go when the light turns green. However, it also causes its surfaces to scrape against each other, wearing them out and creating the possibility of failure. It also can cause damage to the release bearing, release arm, and pressure plate.
- Carrying too much weight – for families this can be hard, but a lot of unnecessary cargo adds work for your vehicle and also requires more fuel.
- Riding the brakes downhill – we want to slow down, sure, but riding the brakes on the way down isn’t good for them. It causes heat to build up in the brake pads and rotors, causing wear and increasing the risk that they will overheat or warp.
- Avoiding the warning signs – through sounds, feels, and lights, your vehicle will often tell you when you have a problem on your hands. Don’t ignore them! It may end up costing you in the long run.
Save money, time and stress on repairs by learning to drive with better habits. If you have any questions, give our automotive technicians a call and let’s start the New Year off with better driving and fewer repairs! Sounds like a great New Year’s resolution to us!
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