11 Driving Habits That Might Be Damaging Your Car

While you may think your driving habits are unimportant, the truth is that some practices can harm your vehicle and lead to expensive trips to the mechanic. Here are 11 driving habits that could be secretly damaging your car.

Delaying or neglecting regular maintenance

Keeping up with car maintenance and servicing can be time-consuming and quite expensive. However, neglecting regular oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and fuel top-ups can lead to damage and expensive repairs in the future. Delaying car service is also quite risky and can even lead to a road accident, reducing your chances of getting a No Claim Bonus during auto insurance renewal.

Take your car for service every six months. If you notice anything wrong with your car, take it to a local mechanic as soon as possible so that the issue can be fixed before it becomes a major problem.

Resting your hand on the gearstick

As a beginner driver, your driving instructor probably told you to always keep both hands on the steering wheel. However, most people develop bad driving habits as soon as the 'L' (Learner) sticker is put on their car. One of these behaviors may include resting one of your hands on the gearstick.

However, do you know this can be harmful to the transmission? The gearstick is connected to a selector shift, which is designed to make contact with a rotating ring for a short time. When you rest your hand on the gearstick, you risk applying pressure to the selector shift, leading to premature wear.

Most car owners' manuals advise against resting your hand on the gearstick. Nevertheless, it's worth checking yours to see whether that is the case.

Ignoring warning lights

Car warning lights usually appear at the most inconvenient times. And while it can be tempting to ignore them, these lights indicate potential issues, and neglecting them may quickly turn into more serious and costly repairs.

Some warning lights are more serious than others. Therefore, it's important to familiarize yourself with the symbols on the dashboard so you know when to stop your car and take action.

Lights relating to critical systems such as the engine, cooling system, braking, airbag, power steering, tire pressure, and oil pressure require immediate attention. You should pull over and seek help from a mechanic if any of these signs appear. Meanwhile, if you see a warning light that shows you need to top up or change engine oil or brake fluid, do so as soon as possible to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

Driving too roughly

It can be difficult to notice whether you are driving rough, especially if you have an SUV or any kind of big, sturdy car. The suspension in these vehicles will help make the ride smoother for you and your passengers.

However, it's good to avoid driving over potholes or trying to avoid them completely. Potholes can affect the integrity of the tires or, in more serious cases, damage your vehicle's suspension and alignment. The same problems can occur when you fly over speed bumps. Therefore, it's best to approach them carefully when you see them on the road since it isn't always easy to see how high they are.

Overloading your car

Every vehicle has a designated weight capacity; issues can occur if you exceed that weight. Overloading your car puts more strain on the engine and transmission.

Transmissions can experience high temperatures and increased wear if they receive extra weight. On the other hand, the engine will have to work harder to cope with the increased weight, which can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, overheating, and accelerated wear.

Vehicle overloading can also put excessive stress on the suspension system, including the shocks and springs. As a result, this may compromise your car's stability and handling. The car owner's manual will usually show you your vehicle's maximum load weight, which will give you an idea of how much luggage you can safely carry.

Running the tank on low-fuel

Most people have experienced the temptation of driving with the fuel light on, especially when they are running late or are nearly home. While it might not seem like a big deal, it can damage your fuel pump and engine. Running your car on low fuel can cause it to collect dirt and debris from the bottom of the tank, which can clog up various components, including the fuel pump and filter.

Car fuel also acts as a lubricant and coolant for the fuel pump. Therefore, letting your car run out of fuel can lead to increased wear and tear on the pump. This can cause premature failure, a stop by the load side, and eventually a costly replacement.

To avoid this, keep your fuel tank at least a quarter full and always fill up before a long drive. Don't depend on the mileage range indicator since this can change based on how fast you drive and a variety of other factors.

Riding the clutch

Resting your foot on the clutch pedal (for manual cars) might be comfortable, especially when you are inching forward in slow-moving traffic. However, riding the clutch is never a good idea since it strains the plate and reduces its lifespan. Furthermore, an auto warranty doesn't cover clutch components since they are wear-and-tear items.

If your car has an off-clutch, use it to ensure your foot has left the clutch pedal. You should also keep the handbrake on and the vehicle in neutral when starting from a hill until you are ready to move if your car doesn't have hill hold control.

Failing to wash your car regularly

Although it isn't technically a driving habit, having a dirty car isn't good for the vehicle's exterior or your general hygiene. If left unwashed, tarsal splatters, dirt, and bird droppings can eventually corrode your car's clear coat and compromise the body's protection. In addition, leaving your car uncleaned can quickly become a breeding place for bacteria, which can have a negative impact on your health.

Wash and wax your car regularly to avoid pitting, rusting, and fading issues. You may need to do this more often if you frequently drive through muddy or dusty areas.

Salt spray is particularly corrosive if you live or go on vacation near the sea. Therefore, it's extremely important to wash the outside of your car and the undercarriage regularly.

Reviving the engine when cold

Reviving the engine before it warms up is another damaging driving habit. Most drivers do so to start the car faster, but it actually leads to more harm than good.

Cold reviving may cause the engine oil to move sluggishly, increasing friction between moving parts and eventually causing damage to the engine. To avoid this, leave the engine to run for about 30 seconds before you drive off. This will give the oil time to warm up and circulate around the engine, avoiding possible damage and premature wear and tear.

Shifting from drive to reverse without stopping

If you own an automatic car, it can be tempting to change from drive to reverse or the opposite before coming to a complete stop. However, doing so puts unnecessary strain on the transmission, which can cause serious and expensive damage.

The gearbox and transmission are specifically designed to change gears up and down, not to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. When you switch before coming to a complete stop, you force the gearbox to bring your car to a stop, too. The best way to protect the gearbox and transmission from unnecessary damage is to use your brakes to bring your car to a complete stop before changing from drive to reverse and vice versa.

Driving on under-inflated tires

Driving on correctly inflated tires makes your car safer and more economical. On the other hand, under-inflated tires deteriorate faster and can increase break resistance, making your car unsafe for you and other road users.

Check your car tire pressure every two to four weeks and always before you go for a long trip. You should also ensure you follow the manufacturer's guidelines when inflating your tires. These can usually be found on the car owner's manual or inside the driver's door.

Wrapping it up

As you can see, there are many driving habits that could be destroying your car, and you might not even realize it. Fortunately, these habits are quite easy to change, and it's a matter of prioritizing your car.

Chances are you rely on your car every day to get you to and from work, go on vacation, or purchase groceries at your local market. Therefore, don't take it for granted; instead, take better care of your car. This will increase its lifespan, save you money, and reduce your worries about its dependability.