Common Driving Habits That Are Damaging to Your Car

Change These Habits To Keep Your Car In Good Condition

Bad driving habits could be placing unnecessary strain on your vehicle, making it less fuel efficient and meaning additional repairs may be needed. Check out this list of common driving habits, that you may not even realize you are doing, that could be damaging your car:

Braking Downhill

Dragging the brakes while you drive downhill puts extra strain on your car’s brake pads and discs, which means Tempe car repair will need to replace them more frequently. Instead, try some light braking before going down a steep hill and then release the brake pedal as you travel down the hill so you avoid overheating your brakes.
 

Overloading Your Vehicle

Today’s vehicles are designed to carry heavy loads, but owners still need to stay within the recommended weight limits. Your owner’s manual should indicate your car’s maximum weight tolerance. Extra weight in your vehicle places additional strain on the brakes, suspension, and drivetrain. Although leaving unnecessary items in your trunk won’t strain your vehicle, they can affect its fuel economy and emissions output. It’s advisable to remove whatever you aren’t using so you can travel as light as possible.
 

Shifting Gears Before Coming to a Complete Stop

When you’re in a hurry and shifting into reverse, drive, or park without coming to a complete stop, you’re at risk of damaging your vehicle’s transmission, which is one of the most extensive and expensive repairs a vehicle will ever need. Let the brakes do the stopping before you switch gears so that you aren’t putting undue strain on your automatic gearbox.
 

Driving Through Potholes and Speed Bumps

Your Scottsdale auto repair shop sees a lot of vehicle damage resulting from driving quickly through potholes and over speed bumps. It’s always best to slow down and drive carefully around potholes so you can avoid them as much as possible. Slow down while driving through parking lots with speed bumps. The impact from these incidents can cause buckled wheels, torn tires, and damaged suspension, plus can also upset the tracking and wheel balancing of your vehicle. Speed bumps can damage the front and rear of your vehicle and even harm your vehicle’s exhaust system.
 

Ignoring Warning Lights

Modern dashboards feature a lot of lights. Some, such as your low washer fluid indicator, can be ignored for a short time, but others should be taken seriously and investigated right away. Take a look through your owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with what all the warning lights on your dashboard mean, so you know when to pull over and address one while you’re driving. Some of the most urgent warning lights that mean you need Mesa auto repairs right away include:

Revving the Engine When It’s Cold

Some people believe that making short trips is bad for your vehicle’s engine because the oil doesn’t have enough time to fully warm up. But in reality, all vehicles start cold. The most important thing is to avoid revving the engine until it is completely warmed up. Your engine’s oil needs time to warm and circulate through the engine so that your vehicle can avoid potential damage and unnecessary wear and tear that will reduce its efficiency and lifespan. Whenever possible, give your vehicle some time to warm up before driving.
 

Riding the Clutch

Although automatic transmissions are predominant in Arizona, some people prefer to drive manual transmission vehicles. Riding the clutch, which means not removing your foot from the clutch pedal after changing gears, is always a bad idea. It’s seldom covered by warranty, so you’ll need to pay out of pocket for any repairs that it needs. Poor clutch control will cause excessive wear and shorten the lifespan of the plate. To avoid this problem, make sure to take your foot off the clutch petal. When you’re starting on an incline, leave the vehicle in neutral with the handbrake on until you’re ready to drive.
 

Late Braking

Every driver needs to make occasional emergency stops. In these situations, sudden and intense braking is essential and can be life-saving. However, a consistent habit of late breaking puts a lot of strain on your vehicle’s brake system, causing faster wear to the brake pads and discs. This means you’ll need Phoenix car maintenance faster than you would otherwise, and you’ll also find yourself with increased fuel costs. A slow and careful approach to driving, anticipating the road and traffic ahead, is much better for the lifespan and performance of your vehicle.
 

Top Rated Car Repair in Tempe

Get quality and honest maintenance or repair for your vehicle when you visit Scottsdale Muffler. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced technicians are ready to answer your questions and provide effective care for your vehicle! Our services range from engine and transmission repairs to oil changes and basic maintenance. Schedule your appointment with us today!