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10 Bad Habits That Damage Your Car
Purchasing a car is a significant financial commitment, and most of us want to keep it operating for as long as possible.
However, our bad habits can sometimes be a car’s worst enemy. Which of the following are you guilty of?
Allowing Your Fuel Tank to Become Empty
Driving your car when it’s out of fuel can cause it to break down. If you frequently run the car low on fuel, you risk overworking the fuel pump, causing it to overheat and break down prematurely.
When there isn’t enough fuel in the tank, the fuel pump isn’t protected as well as it would be otherwise.
The petrol pump in your car is positioned inside the fuel tank. It must be totally submerged in fuel in order to function properly. To keep it submerged, you will usually need at least a quarter of a tank.
Long-term air exposure might cause the fuel pump to deteriorate prematurely.
Leaving it constantly exposed to air can cause the pump to suck in air and generate heat. This also allows sediment to build up in your tank. This can reduce the working life of your fuel pump significantly.
When properly used and maintained, a fuel pump should last at least 100,000 miles if not the lifetime of your vehicle.
Ignoring the Check Engine light
When your Check Engine light comes on, it is your vehicle’s way of alerting you to a problem. The issue could be trivial, but if it is not addressed, it could become quite costly.
Investigate the probable issues yourself or get the vehicle checked by a professional.
The vehicle’s condition is not an emergency if the check engine light stays on, but you should have it checked as soon as possible. However, if the check engine light is blinking, it could indicate a serious engine misfire, which could result in unburned fuel being spilled into the exhaust system.
Not slowing down or avoiding speed bumps or potholes
Your suspension and tyre alignment will be destroyed if you hit a speed bump or pothole too quickly or carelessly. Reduce your vehicle’s speed while approaching a speed bump or pothole to avoid any of these damages.
Using Inappropriate Engine Oil
Choosing the correct oil for an oil change is critical. When getting your vehicle serviced, it’s critical to choose the correct oil for an oil change.
The engine relies heavily on oil. As a result, you should ensure that you only use the recommended product for your vehicle. Your engine will be damaged if you use the wrong oil.
The viscosity (thickness) of the oil has an impact on how well it performs its function. Each automobile engine was created with a specified viscosity in mind. The difference between 5W-30 and 10W-30 engine oil is significant. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which may be found in your owner’s manual.
Only use water to fill your radiator
Whether you call it coolant or antifreeze, this product is an addicting substance that prevents the water in your car from freezing in the winter and boiling and scorching in the hot temperature. Either of these scenarios can cause your engine to break down and cause catastrophic harm.
Use an antifreeze/coolant to keep the water in your engine from freezing or boiling.
Use a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant, or follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
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See Also: How To Stop A Drunk Driver From Driving
Using Inappropriate Cleaning Supplies
We frequently make the error of presuming that it doesn’t matter how we wash your car as long as it’s clean. Actually, employing the incorrect products or accessories might cause your paintwork to become dull and damaged.
For example, using improper cleaning chemicals like ammonia on tinted windows will discolour them (purple-tinted).
The majority of car upholstery cleaners can cause vinyl and leather seats to fade.
Instead, use a specialized vehicle window cleaner or water. Most dirt and debris may be removed quickly and easily using water, without causing damage to the car’s interior or exterior.
Taking the extra effort to do the work right will keep your car looking like new for longer, not only improving its appearance while driving but also making it easier to sell.
Ignoring Strange Sounds
Strange car noises are frequently indicative of a problem with your vehicle. As a result, if you hear these peculiar sounds coming from your car, it could indicate that something is wrong with it.
Ignoring those sounds can lead to higher maintenance costs or costly damage to the vehicle. When those noises occur, inspect your vehicle thoroughly.
Not using the Parking Brake
A car’s parking brake secures the wheels. This prevents the car from rolling or moving while parked.
When the car is parked, it also protects the transmission. The transmission isn’t supposed to keep your car in place. The parking brake’s job is to do just that.
You should always apply your parking brake whether you have a manual or automatic transmission. Apply the parking brake whenever you park the car. The only method to prevent the cables from seizing is to do so. If you haven’t used your parking brakes in a while, don’t use them until you’ve had them examined!
Changing Gears from Reverse to Drive Suddenly
Consider this scenario: you’re backing out of a parking spot. You flick the gearshift and begin going forward since the coast is clear. Does this ring a bell? This may not appear to be a big deal at first, but rapid direction shifts like this can do serious damage to your drivetrain over time. Instead, before switching, come to a complete stop. It only takes a second longer, but it will prevent future damage to your engine, transmission, or axle.
Revving Before the Engine Is Warm
It’s a good idea to let your car run for a minute or two once it starts. It helps in the distribution of oil throughout the engine and the heating of the engine block and oil. The procedure will not be sped up by revving the engine. In fact, this could result in damage that could have been prevented. Cold revving creates quick temperature variations in the engine’s tight-fitting components, causing stress. Simply wait 60 seconds before getting on the road, and everything will be warmed up and ready to go.
