Overloading The Car
Treating your car like a makeshift trailer is causing more damage to your vehicle than you think. Every vehicle has a stipulated weight capacity, and going over that weighs it down, causing internal damage. The risk of an accident is also significantly higher when you are driving a burdened vehicle on the road.
Invest in a trailer to carry an extra load, or open your car’s manual and find out what you can carry. The next tip is for all the daring people who like to push their fuel tank’s boundaries!
Driving Your Car On E
Everybody thinks they know their car’s tank until they are left stranded in the middle of nowhere. The accumulated effect of taking chances before you refill your tank could cause a lot more damage than you know. The fuel that is placed in your car does more than just keep your wheels rolling, it also keeps your fuel pump cool.
When it overheats, damage can be caused to the pump and create serious malfunctions. Make sure to drive with your car above one quarter to avoid this sticky situation. Coming next is something that is often ignored but will save a lot of engines!
Not Warming Your Car Up
Do not think it's grandpa behavior when you see your Dad warming up the car before he drives out to work, he knows what he is doing! Your vehicle needs some extra lubrication before it begins the hard work of getting you from Point A to B throughout the day.
Before you jolt it into action give it some time to wake up from its beauty sleep. If you stay in cold environments, it is especially important to do this as your engine needs some more time to catch up. A minute should be enough, and then you are good to go. There are more things your Dad does that you should be doing too, stick around to find out more!
Ignoring Strange Noises
Do not turn up the volume on your radio to drown out the clunking sound. If your car is making noises it should not be; you should be very worried for your car’s health and your own safety. It is better to visit a mechanic to take a look and make sure that everything is okay.
That metal clanking is your baby crying, and you need to make sure that you solve it before it becomes a different problem. Keep reading because the next thing is also for the people who like to ignore their cars!
Ignoring Your Dashboard Lights
You can ignore the red flags in your relationships but do not ignore the red lights on your dashboard. The flashing lights do not mean your car is having a disco; something is definitely wrong inside your vehicle. The lights are communicating that your fuel is low, your car temperature is too high, or you need to check your engine.
Learn the language of your vehicle to avoid unfortunate situations. If you do the bad habit in the next tip, you need to rethink some things!
Eating In Your Car
The nightmares of cleaning pie crumbs out of a car should be a good reason for you to save the eating for your dining table. Spills and stains are difficult to work out of car seats, and this greatly depreciates the value of the vehicle. Eating while driving is also a distraction and could potentially cause an accident.
If you choose to sell your car in the future, you do not want to lose 30% of your profit because you could not wait to get home to eat. If you are a filth monger, the next one is for you!
Keeping Your Car Dirty
Your car deserves a good wash for all the work it does for you! Washing your car and keeping it in good condition actually benefits you more in the long run. The dirt on the road and the weather conditions in your area will cause harm to your vehicle if left on it for far too long.
The state of the car is also a reflection of the owner and you do not want people thinking that you are a pig!
Smoking In Your Car
Secondhand smoking could affect your car just as badly as it affects people! The stench of tobacco or marijuana is not one you want sticking to your upholstery because getting it out will be a nightmare. Smoking can cause discoloration to the inside of the car, and burn marks are not the design choice you would like to go for.
When the time comes to resell your car, you could lose out a good deal because your car stinks and it looks like the inside of a run-down motel. If you do all of these things, you are probably embarrassed, but there are more things to call you out on!
Ignoring Speed Bumps On The Road
Speed bumps are not suggestions, they are directions to be followed by road users. You should not be ignoring speed bumps and driving over them in a hurry. Experts show that speeding over humps damages your car alignment, wears out your tires, and destroys the exhaust system.
Over time, the damage to your car will give you bills that will make you cry. Skip the drama and simply follow the rules of the road!
Brake Riding
The brake system is one of the most important parts of the car, kind of like the fail-safe of your vehicle. It is also the part of the car you should be using the least. The practice of keeping your foot on the gas and the other on the brake tends to be an anxious habit that people practice when they are afraid of losing control of the vehicle.
Doing this burns out your brake system and affects your brake’s ability to respond in actual danger. Trust your car. As long as you are driving carefully and at a safe distance from the other vehicle, your foot does not need to be on standby all the time. This tip was helpful, but the next one will save you from an accident!
Neglecting Tire Pressure
Moving around with flat tires is like dragging yourself on the floor as you move. With that mental picture in mind, remember to never move around with flat tires. Dragging bust tires on tar causes a lot of wear and tear and will lead you to having to buy new tires.
Most gas stations have points that allow you to check your pressure, so there is no excuse for traveling with flat tires! If this sounds like you, there are more tire tips hidden in this article just for you!
Ignoring Service Schedule
You do not miss your regular nail appointment, so do not opt out of taking your car to service. In order to be able to run at its best, your vehicle needs a little TLC to help it out. Maintenance days also help your mechanic to pick up on any problems and fix them before they leave you in a hairy situation.
Depending on how often you drive your vehicle, make sure to check with your manufacturer on how often you need a check-up. Let’s look at the upcoming tip that warns against a bad driving habit!
Rolling Backwards In Drive
This common mistake that may not seem like a big deal is actually more of a problem than you think. This tends to happen when the driver tries to change gears incorrectly or places too little pressure on the accelerator.
This tiny error can cause damage to your transmission and wear down your gears. Always remember to shift into a lower gear when going uphill and to maintain the right amount of pressure on your accelerator.
Defrosting Your Windshield With Hot Water
You are late for work and come outside to see that your windshield is frozen. Before you run in to get some hot water, think this through. Pouring hot water on an ice-cold surface can cause the glass to shatter. You would rather go through the long and tiring process of scraping the ice off while you warm your car up to ensure that you actually have a functioning car to get to work in.
Windshield replacement is costly, and boiling water is not the cute fix you think it is. The next mistake can be out of your control, but heed this warning!
Not Changing Your Tires
You do not need to change your tires as often as you need to change your underwear, but it should still be an important part of your car routine. Having tires for each season is important because the condition of the road affects the condition of your tires.
Winter tires tend to be more durable and have a better grip on the road. Heat also affects tire health so swipe out your tires when summer rolls in as well. This will keep you moving efficiently and save you from any tire emergencies.
Parking Your Car Outside
Your car cannot come inside the house with you, but there are ways to make sure that your vehicle is kept in good condition. Parking your car out in the open exposes it to harsh weather, leading to the depreciation of its value. Keeping your car in a garage or a carport also protects it from the petty birds who are looking to poop on it.
The potential for robbery is also higher, so protect the exterior of your vehicle and its value by finding a good place for it to stay. If you ignore the emergency brake, the following one is for you!
Forgetting The Emergency Brake
Pulling up your emergency brake is much more critical than you think. When you forget to use the emergency brake, the rest of your car goes to work to keep your vehicle from moving. This will also give you problems with your transmission down the road.
The brake system in your car needs to be protected to stop the potential for brake failure.
Not Driving Your Car At All
It turns out that using your car less is going to cause you more problems down the road! Think of it like a car cramp, if you sit in the same position for long enough, your legs will go numb.
Leaving it abandoned also sends the wrong signal to bugs that you are open for visitors. Every week, drive your car down the road to keep it active and healthy. The next tip will make you circle back, but keep reading!
Driving Your Car Too Much
This is not a contradiction, we promise. If you swing too far on opposite ends, it will cause the same problem. The constant on-and-off that you do with your car and the many movements overwork the car’s system and burn out your brake pads in the process.
Give your car a break and take the opportunity to go for a walk and let your legs do all the work for once.
Modifying Your Car
Making your car your own through modifications can be cool, but sometimes the manufacturers know best. A quirky paint job could be the way to make your car speak for you, but you need to make sure you are the only one who will ever want to use it. Tinting windows and changing out your engine may seem cool at first, but there are some things to consider. Certain modifications can do damage to the car if they are not done properly.
It is also smart to keep the car in its original condition to make sure that you are able to claim insurance. Finally, if people are not digging your work, this could also affect the resale value. The following tip is a maintenance one that you should not ignore!
Waxing Your Car
Think of wax-like your car’s sunscreen. The protective layer creates a barrier that protects the paint job. When you do not take care of your car’s exterior, you risk rust and corrosion damaging its surface. The color of the job could actually fade over time, and maintaining it by waxing will keep the value of your car.
Regularly waxing your car will save you from taking out money to fix dents and scratches in the future. The next thing warns you against fake car blindness; check it out!
Ignoring Dents And Scratches On Your Car
Pretending to not see that dent on your bumper will not make it disappear miraculously. Not fixing minor scratches is dangerous because that becomes the spot that water and rust sit in to further erode your car’s surface. Your claims for insurance can be affected if you do not claim for damage or fix it as soon as it happens.
Later on down the road, when you choose to sell your car, that dent may become the thing that pushes your buyers away. The next thing is a maintenance no-no, so do not skip past it!
Using The Wrong Cleaning Products On Your Car
Keep your dishwashing liquid in the kitchen and far away from your vehicle! The chemicals in car products have been specifically formulated to suit your car's needs. Using the wrong products can stain your vehicle’s windows and damage the fabric upholstery.
If you do not have money to buy the products your car needs, stick to water for vehicle cleaning. It may not be strong enough to remove all stains, but it can remove dirt and debris well enough. Keep reading for more things you definitely should not be doing.
Shifting From Drive To Reverse Before Stopping Your Car
Information overload is a thing! Be careful to give your car instructions in the correct order to stop it from glitching. Driving and shifting to reverse at the same time is sending two messages to your vehicle when it can only listen to one at a time. This action will damage your gears and your engine too, if done repeatedly.
Your gearbox does not need to work overtime, so remember to be patient with your vehicle so it can serve you well. The next thing on the list is something you should not be doing to your engine!
Revving The Engine When It's Cold
Give your car a bit of a warning before you move it into full throttle! Revving it up when it is cold does not allow the oils that are meant to protect your car to do their work.
Reduce the wear and tear by warming up your engine first before you task it to do any hard labor.
Braking Too Hard And Too Late
It has been a long time since you got your license, so the road rules may be hazy. When you are driving, it is important to leave enough space between you and the next vehicle to avoid any accidents. If you find yourself having to stomp your brakes, it means that you forgot to follow this all-important rule.
Overworking your brakes leads to wear and tear, and brake pads are very expensive to replace! Do not try this next thing if you want to keep your vehicle going!
Topping Off The Gas Tank
Trying to squeeze every last cent out of a fuel refuel is actually damaging your vehicle. When you overfill your tank you do not give room within it to circulate vapor. This will lead to performance issues because the vapor collection system can not function normally in a stuffed tank.
Feeling stuffed can be uncomfortable so just imagine it’s like giving your car indigestion!
Not Having The Car Serviced By Proper Technicians
Servicing your car at your car’s manufacturer could cost you an arm and a leg, but letting just anyone touch it will cost you a kidney. If the wrong mechanics touch the wrong things in your vehicle, you could be looking at forking out so much more money to fix the problem.
Get a licensed technician to take a look at your car and save yourself the headache. The next thing is for the drivers who have picked up some bad habits along the way!
Coasting To A Stop In Neutral
When you are slowing down on the road or approaching a stop, engage the proper mechanisms in your car. Abusing the neutral gear, in this case, seems harmless, but the problems are long-lasting. This action wears out your brakes and may damage your transmission.
This temporary loss of control of your vehicle could also lead to an accident if you are not careful. The final thing is something you cannot ignore!
Keeping Old Sparks
Spark plugs are an essential part of the engine system as they help in the combustion process that happens within the engine. Just like any other part of the vehicle, over time, wear and tear affects their performance.
When these pieces are not replaced regularly, they could lead to engine misfires and labored acceleration while driving. Keep the spark alive in your life and your vehicle by regularly replacing these parts!