You don’t need to be a professional mechanic to know how to take care of your car. All drivers should be familiar with some basic car care items.
We are often told not to drive while texting or talking on the phone, when we are tired and under the influence. However, there are less obvious bad driving habits than those mentioned above that you should be aware of. Avoid doing these activities while driving if you don’t want to damage your car or your wallet.
Here are nine bad driving practices to avoid:
1. Rest your hand on the shift lever
Driving instructors always recommend that you keep both hands on the wheel at all times, but many of us develop the terrible driving habit of resting our hand on the gear lever. The gear lever is linked to a selector fork, which is intended to make brief contact with a rotating collar. If you rest your hand on the shifter, the transmission’s synchronizers and bushings will have to bear more weight than usual, causing internal wear.
2. Neglecting the use of the parking brake
This is a big mistake because not doing this makes the parking pawl work harder and eventually break. As a result, the “P” of the shifter becomes completely unusable.
3. Delay regular maintenance
This is one of the most obvious. Not having your vehicle serviced regularly can lead to major problems later on, costing you a lot of money. To learn about various symptoms of your car, study the industry information from our specialists to keep it in good condition at all times.
Also be sure to know the proper engine oil recommended by the car manufacturer, as well as change the air filter and engine oil filter at least twice a year.
4. Ignore the warning lights
Occasionally, warnings such as “washer fluid” or “bulb out” can be ignored until you have a chance to stop. Others, on the other hand, should be investigated as soon as possible. Don’t dismiss the warnings; your car’s smart computer knows what it’s doing. It could damage the gearbox and force you to replace parts earlier than recommended. When you depress the clutch pedal to keep the vehicle moving, the release bearing is in contact with the pressure plate for a longer period of time, accelerating its erosion.
Keeping an eye out for these warning lights can save you a lot of money.
5. Start the engine before it has warmed up
Some claim that the engine oil never fully warms up, so a short trip will be detrimental. Since all vehicles start cold, it is critical to avoid revving the engine until it has warmed up. Let the engine idle for about 60 seconds before driving off.
6. Keep the tank almost empty
This is a bad idea because if the oil pump is not submerged in enough fuel, it heats up and causes friction between the engine elements. So instead of just a gallon or two at a time, especially with the rising cost of fuel, fill up the tank to keep your engine fresh and healthy. This is another terrible practice that is destroying your manual vehicle.
7. Overcharging your vehicle
Unless absolutely necessary, remove every ounce of excess weight from your car. A heavy car puts a load on brake, suspension and transmission components. Your vehicle’s maximum cargo weight is usually listed in your owner’s manual, which will give you an idea of how much luggage you should carry in total.
8. Keep pressure on the brake pedal when going down
It’s just another one of those horrible driving habits that will send your car to the graveyard too soon. Residents of Dhaka won’t face this problem much, but if you drive often to places like Chittagong or even Sylhet, you’d better watch out. Driving on a steep road is difficult, and many drivers feel compelled to keep their foot on the brakes to slow down quickly. However, it is best to shift into a lower gear and slow down the vehicle without putting pressure on the brake pads and rotors.
9. Maintain clutch pressure while climbing
This one is for those who drive a manual. Many drivers do this to avoid bringing their vehicle to a complete stop while going up a steep road. In this case, simply use the automated brake hold mechanism. If your vehicle does not have one, use the handbrake for the same purpose. Remember that relying too much on the clutch will eventually cause it to fail, and you won’t be able to shift gears.
Even experienced drivers can have poor driving habits that cause their vehicles to wear out prematurely. We hope the above information will help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
As much as maintaining a vehicle is getting more and more expensive, being regular with maintenance can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.
