Not making your bed in the morning, leaving the dishes in the sink, or not taking out the trash until it’s overflowing—we all have some bad habits that we should kick to the curb. And while all of these things can make your life a little bit messier and more difficult, they’re not going to cause any serious damage.
However, there are some bad habits that you might be doing behind the wheel that could be doing significant damage to your car—and your wallet. If you’re guilty of any of these driving habits, it’s time to break them before they break your bank.
1. Riding the Clutch
If you drive a manual transmission, then you know that there’s a delicate dance that you have to do between the gas and the clutch pedal. But even if you’ve been driving a stick shift for years, you might not know that riding the clutch can actually damage your car.
When you ride the clutch, it causes unnecessary wear and tear on the clutch plate. Over time, this can lead to serious problems like a slipping clutch or even a complete failure. Not to mention, it can be a real pain (and expensive) to fix. So if you want to save yourself some money and keep your car on the road, take your foot off the clutch pedal when you’re not actually shifting gears.
2. Revving the Engine
We’ve all been there—sitting at a stop light, revving our engine impatiently as we wait for the light to turn green. But what you might not realize is that this bad habit can actually do some serious damage to your car.
When you rev your engine, it puts unnecessary stress on the engine and can lead to costly repairs down the line. Resist the urge to rev your engine the next time you’re stuck at a red light and just wait patiently for the light to change.
3. Hitting the Curb
If you’re not careful, it’s easy to misjudge a turn and end up hitting the curb. But while this might not seem like a big deal, it can actually do some serious damage to your car.
Hitting the curb can bend your wheels out of shape and throw off your alignment. This can lead to all sorts of problems like uneven tire wear and decreased fuel efficiency.
4. Flooring It from a Stop
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of accelerating quickly from a stop, but this bad habit can actually be pretty tough on your car. When you floor it from a stop, you put unnecessary stress on your engine and transmission, which can lead to serious problems down the line.
If you want to protect your car and save some money on repairs, take it easy when accelerating from a stop. You don’t have to crawl along at a snail’s pace, but there’s no need to floor it either.
5. Slamming On the Brakes
If you’re driving in stop-and-go traffic or in bad weather, it can be tempting to slam on the brakes when you need to stop. But this bad habit can actually do some serious damage to your car.
When you slam on the brakes, it puts unnecessary stress on the brake pads and rotors. Over time, this can lead to premature wear and tear and expensive repairs, not to mention that it could cause a fender bender and the need for collision repair.
6. Potholes and Speed Bumps
Potholes and speed bumps are an unfortunate reality of driving, but they can actually do some serious damage to your car if you’re not careful. Hitting a pothole can bend your wheels out of shape or even break them completely. And hitting a speed bump too fast can damage your suspension.
So next time you’re driving, be on the lookout for potholes and speed bumps. And if you can’t avoid them, slow down and take them slowly to avoid damaging your car.
7. Ignoring Warning Lights
If a warning light pops up on your dash, it’s important to take it seriously. Ignoring a warning light can lead to serious problems like engine damage or even a complete failure. When you see a warning light, make sure to take your car to a mechanic and have it checked out as soon as possible.
8. Running On Fumes
If you’re running low on gas, it can be tempting to just push it and see how far you can make it. But this bad habit can actually do some serious damage to your car.
When you run out of gas, the engine can overheat and seize up. This can lead to expensive repairs or even a complete engine replacement. A good rule of thumb is to fill up when you hit a quarter tank—then you can avoid engine damage and that terrible feeling of running out of gas in the middle of an intersection.
9. Neglecting Maintenance
One of the worst things you can do for your car is neglect basic maintenance. This includes things like regular oil changes, tune-ups, and tire rotations. Neglecting maintenance can lead to all sorts of problems like decreased fuel efficiency, engine damage, and premature wear and tear.
If you want to keep your car running smoothly, make sure to keep up with regular maintenance. It might not seem like a big deal, but it can save you a lot of money down the line.
10. Not Using the Parking Brake
If you’re not using the parking brake, you’re putting unnecessary stress on your transmission. The parking brake is designed to hold your car in place when it’s stopped, so if you’re not using it, your transmission has to work harder. Over time, this can lead to premature wear and tear and expensive repairs.
Get Inexpensive Maintenance Done With Valley Collision
If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable place to get your car maintained or repaired, Valley Collision is the perfect place for you. We offer a wide range of services, from oil changes and tune-ups to more extensive repairs. All of our technicians are I-CAR Gold Class certified and we’ll be happy to answer any questions about collision repair. Contact us today!
