10 habits which decrease life of car
Buying a car is a big investment, and for most of us, a car is something we want keep running as long as possible. But sometimes our own bad habits are a car’s worst enemy. Which ones are you guilty of?
But there are some bad driving habits you should also break to save your car from an early retirement.
Here are 10 habits to avoid to help get the most from your car.
1. Shifting from drive to reverse while still moving forward (and vice versa)
This sends your car an extremely mixed message. Due to the force that are required to make the main mechanical components of a vehicle move towards the opposing direction the direction the vehicle is going it is not recommended to do this on any vehicle. For older vehicles that have automatics using reverse, while the vehicle is moving in the direction of forward (at whatever speed) could cause damage to the transmission and could be hazardous.
In vehicles with manual transmissions that have reverse, trying to select it while moving forward could result in an ear-splitting sound or gearbox has the mechanism to lock out which will stop reverse from being selected.
2. The clutch isn’t a footrest
Manual transmission vehicles are less popular since the advent of automatics however if you use a manual, it’s important to pay attention to the actions of your feet. Drivers wear out prematurely the clutch by putting their feet in the throttle while driving. The clutch is disengaged partially and allows the flywheel at the opposite side of an engine’s crankshaft to rub material of the clutch’s friction, but not fully engaging with it.
The clutch is often slipped too much or releasing it in order to keep the vehicle still on a hill can also bring the clutch at the point of exhaustion sooner.
03. Too much hard braking
If you’re not going to go down a steep hill or a steep slope, accelerating regularly and applying the brakes with a lot of force could indicate that you’re speeding too much or you’re not paying attention to the traffic or either. Although modern brakes on vehicles perform extremely excellently when they’re properly maintained but they wear more quickly when used regularly.
The smooth acceleration and braking process can not only help make more brakes but will also encourage you to save fuel, and also keep your fellow road users safe. Also, braking or accelerating quickly and with a sharp steering movement are utilized by certain high-tech vehicles to signal that an individual driver is tired.
04. Running your car with a low amount of fuel in the tank
The routine of running your car’s fuel tank to its lowest level isn’t a wise choice for a number of reasons. First, the fuel pumps of many modern vehicles are located inside the tank, and are made to cool and then lubricated by the fuel inside the tank. When you run your tank to nearly empty may harm the fuel pump in your car in the course of time. For older vehicles with fuel tanks made of steel, frequently pumping them down can increase the likelihood of condensation to cause corrosion.
05. Incorrect Tyre pressure
Surveys conducted previously by RAC revealed that over one-quarter of the vehicles driving around might have tyre pressures that are wrong by more than 10psi and an UK survey found that more than 62 percent of vehicles were inflated incorrectly regardless of. The only thing a car has to do with the road is the tyres. If they’re not properly inflated or under-inflated, they’re not able to do their work effectively. Making sure your tyres are at the proper pressure can help you reduce fuel consumption, help your car run better, and the most important thing is to keep your family safe.
To determine the right pressures of your Tyres for your vehicle it is recommended to refer to the placard for your car’s tyres that is usually located on the glove box lid, flap for filling the tank with fuel or on the door for the driver or in the opening. The placard, which is usually is a white square, will indicate the recommended tyre inflator pressures, as well as the dimensions of the tyres and wheels that were originally installed on the vehicle and the tyre’s speed and load ratings. This information can also be found included in the owner’s manual.
06. Suddenly Shifting From Reverse to Drive
magine this scenario: you’re pulling from an parking spot. The coast is clear so you turn the shifter and move forward. Are you familiar with this scenario? It may not seem too terrible at first however, over time, sudden shifts in direction like this could be detrimental to the motor. Instead, you should come to a complete halt before switching. This will save you one second and can prevent any future transmission, engine, and axle damages.
07.Keeping the Gas Tank Low
Lots of us have been in a situation where putting $10 in the gas tank is the best we can do at the time. What you might not know is that ponying up a little extra could help to prevent damaging a car’s fuel system. Many fuel pumps keep cool by staying submerged in the fuel in the tank, so if you’re regularly running at a quarter full or less, you risk speeding up the need for a fuel pump replacement. Paying a little more at the gas station might sting, but it won’t hurt nearly as much as needing a new fuel pump.
08. Revving Before the Engine Is Warm
Sitting down your car for a few minutes just after it has started is a great idea. It allows oil to be distributed across the engine and bring both the block of engine and the engine oil at a temperature. The engine’s revving won’t accelerate the process. In fact, it can cause damage that is easily avoided. Rapid cold revving can cause abrupt temperature fluctuations that cause tension between the engine’s fast-fitting components. Just give it 60 seconds prior to getting onto the road and the engine will be begun to warm up to provide reliable performance.
09.Using the Shifter as a Hand Rest
Driving in a manually-driven vehicle is a lot of fun and while you’re navigating the gears, it’s normal to keep your hand at the steering wheel , and another on your shift lever. Don’t. Letting your hands off the shifter can cause strain on the bushings of the transmission and synchronizers, which can cause excessive wear. It is recommended to have your hands on the steering wheel regardless. It will aid your transmission and you’ll be able to maintain the wheel should you need to perform an sudden steering turn.
10. Missing car services
By doing this, you can increase your vehicle’s longevity and reduce the possibility of an unexpected repair expense.
It doesn’t mean that you need to take your vehicle back to the dealer in order to preserve the warranty. It’s just a matter of having it checked by a trained professional according to the schedule of the manufacturer. This will reduce your expenses and give you assurance that your car’s maintenance is current. Mechanical checks, safety and other checks can also be part of the service.
