Whether you realize it or not, you have certain driving habits. Some of those habits may be good for your vehicle and others may be leading to increased wear and tear. The way you drive affects the durability of your vehicle and its components.
Transmission
For those who drive a stick shift (manual) vehicle, do you always touch the shifter? If so, you’re causing extra wear and tear on your transmission. You only need to touch the shifter when changing gears, so keep your hands on the wheel instead.
Too Much Junk in the Trunk
Do you overload your vehicle with stuff that weighs “too much?” If you’re hauling extra weight around that’s above the vehicle’s payload, you’re putting stress on the suspension, brakes and drive train components.
Empty Stomach
Do you drive “on empty?” That’s not ideal, because most modern fuel pumps are cooled by submersion in fuel. When that pump system isn’t cooled properly, it overheats leading to wear and tear. If possible, try and keep your tank at least a quarter full rather than driving “on empty.”
Aggressive Stops
Are you the type of driver who does hard starts and stops? That could definitely be messing with your brake pads and rotors. Instead of pushing pedals down quickly, it’s better to apply pressure gradually.
Impatience
On cold days, do you start the vehicle and immediately rev the engine? If so, don’t do that– you need to let the engine idle for a few minutes so the temperature in the engine system “evens out” smoothly.
Drivetrain
Finally, here’s a habit to break: switching from reverse to drive without completely stopping the vehicle. When you do this, you’re putting strain on the drivetrain, which is forced to move in a different direction abruptly. Stop the vehicle first, and then switch from reverse to drive.
These are just some of the things to watch out for when it comes to driving habits and car care. If you have issues with your current vehicle, call AV Bumper to Bumper in Lancaster, CA, at 661-949-1999 to make an appointment.
