Did you know that your driving habits could actually be causing damage to your vehicle? Much of the wear and tear and repairs can be avoided through better driving. While many car problems can be attributed to the age of the vehicle, you could improve the lifespan of your car by avoiding these driving mistakes.
Driving on an empty tank
We’re all guilty of doing it now and again – but regularly allowing the car to get down to the point where the engine fuel light is on can be dangerous. Running out of fuel can not only mean a callout to a breakdown provider, but it also risks serious damage to your vehicle. When you run out of petrol, the fuel pump can suck in dirt which can clog it up, and lead to forking out for an expensive replacement. It’s not worth the risk – top up your fuel tank regularly.
Ignoring warning signs
This one seems pretty obvious, but when there is something wrong with your vehicle there is often at least one warning sign. It may be an engine light or a strange noise, but there will be signs before a component breaks and needs repairing. Some drivers choose to ignore these signs to avoid the mechanic’s bill – but in fact they are just making the repair costs higher.
Aggressive driving
Do you find yourself tailgating vehicles on the motorway, or speeding up to traffic lights only to have to come to a fast stop? These are extremely bad driving habits – one because they are unsafe, and two because you’ll be accelerating wear and tear on the brakes. When driving, you should be trying to keep the car moving for as long as possible without the need to stop, which means gentle braking and slowing down instead of abrupt braking.
Not slowing down for speed bumps
Speed bumps are designed to slow down traffic – so not slowing down has the potential to damage your vehicle. Unless you drive slowly, speed bumps can cause damage to the suspension, tyres, exhaust and more. You should also watch out for potholes as these can damage your tyres if you drive over them too fast, but speed bumps are pretty hard to miss.
Are you guilty of any of these bad driving habits? Think again when you’re on the road, as these mistakes could lead to costly and avoidable repairs.