With proper maintenance, your car can surpass 300,000 km in mileage. But if you’re not careful and practice bad driving habits, you could be shortening the life of your car. Bad driving can affect both the interior and exterior of your car and cost you a lot in repairs. We’re taking a closer look at 8 of the worst driving habits for the longevity of your car:

1. Not Using The Parking Brake

Modern cars don’t require the parking brake when you park. However, leaving the parking brake off can increase wear and tear on your transmission. There’s a piece of metal inside the transmission called the parking pawl which locks it into place when the parking brake is engaged. When you don’t use the parking brake, the pawl bears all the weight of the car, which causes wear and tear to the transmission which eventually makes the “P” gear useless.

Make sure you disengage the parking brake every time you want to drive. If you don’t do it, you’ll be damaging your braking discs and rotors, leading to expensive repairs.

2. Hauling Around Heavy Loads:

The extra weight of what you’re hauling around can cause your suspension system to suffer. Too much weight for your car can cause damage to the brakes, tires, and suspension components. So it’s a good idea to make sure that anything you’re carrying in your vehicle is not too heavy and is necessary. If you must carry luggage, divide it into portions and pack light every time.

3. Speeding:

Driving too fast increases the strain on your car’s engine, resulting in higher fuel consumption. It also decreases the lifespan of your tires and brakes, as they have to work harder than usual, leading to costly repairs. You’re also more likely to lose control of your car if you’re driving too quickly, which could lead to an accident. To keep your car running longer and cost less money in repairs, it’s best to stick to the speed limit at all times.

4. Driving With Low Tire Pressure:

Not having enough air pressure in your tires increases friction which causes them to overheat, wearing them down faster and decreasing their lifespan. It also affects the way your car handles and makes it difficult to control on the road. Make sure you check your tire pressure regularly and fill them up to the recommended levels when needed. There’s a sticker on the inside of your car door that will tell you what PSI to keep them at. This will keep your tires in good condition for a longer period.

5. Switching From Reverse to Drive Before Stopping:

When you switch from reverse to drive while your car is still moving, it puts a lot of strain on the transmission. If you do this often enough, then it can cause the gears to wear down and eventually fail. To avoid this problem, always come to a complete stop before shifting from reverse to drive and vice versa.

6. Braking Downhill in the Wrong Gear

On a steep hill, you should always use the brakes to control your speed. However, if you’re in the wrong gear, this can cause a lot of wear and tear on the brakes and make them less effective over time. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you select “3” or “L” whenever you’re driving down a steep hill instead of “D”. This will allow the engine to work as a brake and prevent your brakes from being overused.

7. Often Driving With Low Gas

When you drive with a low-fuel tank, the fuel pump has to work harder to bring gasoline up from the bottom of the tank. This can cause a lot of wear and tear on the fuel pump over time and lead to it failing prematurely. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you always fill up your gas tank as soon as it gets below a quarter of a tank. This will help to keep the fuel pump cool and in good condition and ensure that your vehicle runs better for longer.

8. Hard Starts and Stops

Hard starts and stops put extra strain on the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, and other components of your car. This type of driving can also cause a dangerous situation if you don’t have enough time to stop or accelerate properly. To help reduce this wear and tear on your car’s components, try to anticipate stops early and look further down the road. This will allow you to slow down gradually rather than slamming on the brakes at the last minute.

Get Regular Car Maintenance With Vann York Chevrolet Buick GMC

One of the best ways to help your car last longer is to get regular maintenance. Make sure that you are keeping up with your oil changes and other routine maintenance tasks. Doing so can help identify any potential problems that may be developing before they become too expensive or damaging. Reach out to Vann York Chevrolet Buick GMC for all your maintenance needs today.

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