A smoothly running car is what car owners our age all want. However there are things we must pay attention to, to keep our vehicles running smoothly. Regular oil changes, tire rotations, and changing drive belts are the very basic must dos for any car owner. Other than that there several common bad driving habits that we can avoid to keep our cars running long and smooth.
Here’s a list of ten. Hope they help:
Weighing your hand on shifter: Resting your hand on the shifter places weight on the transmission’s bushings and synchronizers. This causes internal wear and tear to the car. So keep both hands on the steering wheel and only take one off to switch gears.
Tugging unneeded Pounds: Simplification and lightness applies to every car, so clear out unneeded cargo from your car. Every pound of extra weight smashes fuel economy and handling. It also causes extra stress on suspension, brake, and drivetrain components. So clean your interiors and only carry the essentials.
Small Amount of Fuel in the Tank: When the full tank of gas doesn’t fit into your budget, you only add a gallon at a time. This will lead to costly repairs. Modern fuel pumps are cooled by getting submerged in fuel. So driving with a small amount of fuel can heat up your pump and wear it out more quickly. Thus keep your gas tank at least a quarter full.
Sudden Starts and Stops: Mashing the gas is fun, but it uses more fuel than applying the throttle. Sudden starts cause faster wear to the brake pads and rotors. Look ahead, plan ahead and press on pedal smoothly.
Revving the cold Engine: You should resist the urge to rev the engine when it’s cold. The exhaust sounds great, but revving it when it’s cold can cause abrupt temperature changes that can damage components.
Riding the Clutch: In your manual transmission car you’re ready with the clutch in wait of the green signal. But riding the clutch causes its surfaces to graze against each other. It wears them down and causes sudden failure. It’s better to be stopped with the clutch out and shifter in neutral.
From Reverse to Drive: While parking in low space areas we shift from reverse to drive while still slowly rolling backwards. This habit should be avoided at all costs. Doing so places strain on the drivetrain when it’s suddenly forced to move in the opposite direction.
Downhill Brakes: When you drive down a steep hill you rest your foot on the brake pedal. You take it as a precaution to slow down at a moment’s notice. But it’s an alarming danger for your car. This precaution causes strain and heat build-up in the brake system. It wears out components like brake pads and rotors.
Ignoring Your Car’s Voice: We easily ignore those little squeaks, intermittent rattles and other unusual noises our car makes. If your car is making strange sounds or giving you other warning signs, it’s important to inspect the issue right away.
