Many drivers are unaware that their daily habits, which have been developed through time and supported by an often ambiguous popular automotive culture, can end up being hazardous to their cars. The Best Car Buyer advice on these habits is very useful and will protect your car in the long run.
Apart from putting the car in neutral to save money, driving with the engine rpm too low, rushing the tank to the limit, or leaving your hand on the gear knob or your foot on the clutch pedal are also mistakes to avoid. And it's that, in the long term, they can cause problems that are costly to the car and the wallet. These are only a few of the crazes that should be avoided.
Fill up the gas tank.
It's not a good idea to wait until the reserve caution light illuminates before refilling; instead, head to the gas station when there's about a quarter of a tank remaining.
When you're down to the last liter, the injection pump is vulnerable: because it's immersed in the tank, if the fuel level is low, it can absorb air instead of gasoline, reducing its lifespan and performance.
It should also not be emptied, especially in older cars, because contaminants deposited at the bottom of the tank can reach the engine. Some are caught by the fuel filter, but others can end up in the engine, making it unclean and decreasing its performance and consumption.
Insist on moving the steering wheel to the stop position.
When parking, it's typical to turn the steering wheel from one stop to the next. However, it is best to avoid exceeding that limit, and especially not to insist on doing so, as both the power steering pump and the steering rack may suffer.
If you hear a peculiar noise while doing so, you should take your car to a mechanic to have the system checked.
Wait in your Gear.
The clutch has a finite lifespan, yet when properly maintained, it can last almost as long as the car. There are some activities that are needless and shorten your life, such as leaving gear in the drive while the car is stopped, at a red light, or stuck in traffic. It is preferable to use neutral in these situations.
Driving with your left foot on the clutch pedal might hasten its wear since it may be partially separated from the engine, rather than having a perfect coupling, and rub on sections that aren't designed to handle it.
Maintain a safe speed.
When driving at fast speeds or in a sporty manner, the entire car suffers more damage, and its components, naturally, last less time.
However, traveling at an extremely slow speed can be dangerous. Because optimal operating temperatures are not attained and the engine does not benefit from a flow of exhaust gases at a specific speed, running in very high gears and at a very low engine speed can harm its longevity. They generate so much heat that the contaminants in their path are dragged along with them. It has a similar effect as paralytic ovens.
Driving with the engine at very low RPM can also damage the EGR valve, which is attached to turbocharged, petrol, and diesel models, and even the catalytic converter, which suffers from the same problem of an exhaust flow that is too cold or slow. Both repairs are also costly.
Putting the car in neutral to save fuel.
Another common mistake. Many drivers rationalize their actions by claiming that they save money on gas, but this is not true. The car will not consume if you take your foot off the accelerator and leave a gear engaged, because the transmission and engine are kept going by the wheels' movement. When you place neutral, on the other hand, the car recognizes that it is idling and causes the injection to give gasoline to the engine, albeit in little volumes.
It's simple to check: perform one thing after another and consult the car's trip computer. It will indicate zero when a gear is engaged, and a few tenths of a joint while it is in neutral.
In addition to efficiency, rolling in neutral is not recommended for safety reasons, as you lose control of the car and your ability to react to unexpected situations.
Place your hand on the gearshift.
Placing your hand on the gear lever can cause the gear linkage, which connects the lever to the gears in the gearbox, to prematurely wear out. If this is done on a regular basis, the gears may begin to fail to engage as they should.
It's also important to remember that driving without your hands on the wheel is unsafe because you can't manoeuvre properly all of the time.
When parking, hitting the curb
No matter how frantic you are, you must be as careful as possible when parking. The goal is to avoid hitting the curb with the tire. Modern cars typically have low-profile wheels, which are susceptible to fracture even with minor rubbing.
It's also not a good idea to leave a wheel on the curb since the internal structure is strained, resulting in bulges or other deformations.
overloading the car
Never exceed a car's maximum authorized load weight (the technical data sheet's Maximum Authorized Mass (MMA)). Tires, suspension, brake system, and the engine will all suffer if this is done frequently.
Low tire pressure when driving
Low tire pressure has an effect on the car: fuel consumption rises, and tires wear out more quickly, particularly on the flanks and sides, reducing the car's usable life. There will also be a greater chance of an unanticipated blowout.
A pressure that is too high is also bad since the contact surface is lost, and in extreme circumstances, it might compromise the car's stability.
Always use the manufacturer's recommended pressure (found in the car manual, on the tank cap, or inside the door sill), and if the tires are hot, increase it by two tenths.
Failure to perform routine car maintenance
Manufacturers specify the number of times you must visit the workshop to conduct the necessary maintenance checks on your car, either in terms of time or mileage. If you don't, you'll be disregarding important auto maintenance tasks like changing the oil or filters, and you'll be unaware of the level of wear on some parts, which might lead to an unavoidable breakdown. All these precautions will keep the value of the car when selling it.
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