You don't have to be a professional mechanic to know how to take care of your car. All drivers should be familiar with some basic car care essentials.
We are frequently told not to drive texting/talking on the phone, when tired and while under the influence. However, there are less obvious bad driving habits than the ones mentioned above about which you should be aware of. Avoid doing these activities while driving if you don't want to damage your car or your wallet.
Here are nine bad driving practices to avoid:
1. Resting your hand on the gear stick
Driving instructors always recommend that you maintain both hands on the wheel at all times, yet many of us develop the terrible driving habit of resting your hand on the shifter. The gear stick is linked to a selection fork, which is meant to make brief contact with a spinning collar. If you rest your hand on the gear stick, the transmission's synchronizers and bushings will have to take greater weight than usual, causing internal wear.
2. Neglecting to use the parking brake
It's a big mistake because not doing so makes the parking pawl work harder and eventually breaks. As a result, the shifter's 'P' is rendered completely unusable.
3. Delaying regular maintenance
This is one of the most obvious. If you do not have your vehicle serviced on a regular basis, it can lead to major problems later on, costing you a lot of money. To learn about various symptoms of your car, study industry information from our specialists to keep it in good shape at all times.
Also make sure to know the right engine oil recommended by the carmaker, as well as change the air filter, and engine oil filter at least twice a year.
4. Ignoring warning lights
Occasionally, warnings such as "washer fluid" or "bulb out" can be ignored until you have a chance to stop. Others, on the other hand, must be investigated as soon as possible. Don't dismiss the warnings; your car's smart computer knows what it's doing. It could damage the gearbox and force you to replace its parts sooner than recommended. When you press the clutch pedal to keep the vehicle in gear, the throwout bearing is in contact with the pressure plate for a longer period of time, accelerating its erosion.
Keeping an eye out for these warning lights could help save you a lot of money.
5. Revving the engine before it has warmed up
Some claim that the engine oil never completely warms up, so a short trip will be harmful. Because all vehicles start cold, it is critical to avoid revving the engine until it has warmed up. Allow the engine to idle for about 60 seconds before setting off.
6. Keeping the tank almost empty
It's a bad idea because if the oil pump isn't submerged in enough fuel, it heats up and causes friction between engine elements. So, instead of just a gallon or two every time, especially with the rising cost of fuel, fill your tank to keep your engine cool and healthy. This is another of the terrible practices that are destroying your manual vehicle.
7. Overloading your vehicle
Unless absolutely necessary, remove every ounce of excess weight from your car. A heavy car puts a load on the brake, suspension, and drivetrain components. The maximum load weight of your vehicle is normally stated in the owner's manual, which will give you an idea of how much luggage you should bring in total.
8. Maintaining pressure on the brake pedal when going downward
It's just another of the awful driving habits that will send your car to the graveyard too soon. Dhaka dwellers won't be facing this issue much but if you are driving frequently in places like Chittagong or even Sylhet, you better watch out for this. Driving down a steep road is difficult, and many drivers feel compelled to keep their foot on the brakes in order to slow down quickly. However, the best thing to do is shift into a lower gear and slow the vehicle down without putting pressure on the brake pads and rotors.
9. Maintaining clutch pressure while going uphill
This one is for those who drive a manual. Many drivers do it to avoid completely stopping their vehicle while climbing a steep road. In this case, simply employ the automated brake hold mechanism. If your vehicle lacks one, utilize the hand brake for the same purpose. Remember that relying too heavily on the clutch will eventually cause it to fail, rendering you unable to change gears.
Even experienced drivers can have improper driving habits that cause their vehicles to wear out prematurely. We hope that the information above will assist you in avoiding costly repairs down the road.
As much as it is getting more and more expensive to maintain a vehicle, being regular with the maintenance can actually end up saving a lot of money in the long run.
