Stop Doing These 9 Things If You Don’t Want to be Spending Money at the Mechanic

If you’re the type of driver that likes to just “stick the key in and go,” then there’s a chance that you have developed some bad ownership habits along the way. That’s not to say you can’t just drive your car, but proper care and awareness of what you’re doing to your car are important if you want it to last a long time. 

Here are 9 things that you could be doing to ruin your car and not even be aware of it.

1. Stop Running Your Car on “empty” Fuel Tank

Do you like running the car until the fuel needle is hovering just above the “empty” mark? We can’t blame you considering the crazy fuel prices nowadays. However, running your car “on fumes” regularly can end up damaging it. According to experts, having gas in your car’s fuel tank cools the fuel pump.

If the fuel pump overheats, it can cause a misfire, hesitation, and poor fuel economy. Make sure not to run your car on empty if you want to avoid having to replace the fuel pump or more.

2. Don’t Ignore Any Strange Noises

When driving your car, do you hear any strange noises like a humming, whirring, or knocking sound? If so, any of these sounds could potentially be bigger issues that can end up costing you a lot of money in repairs. 

As such, you should not ignore these strange sounds and get them checked out by a qualified mechanic right away.

3. Stop Riding the Brakes

If you like to keep one foot on the gas pedal and one foot on the brake, then you should refrain from doing so immediately. Applying even a little pressure to the brake pedal while you’re accelerating – also known as “riding the brakes – can burn out the car’s brake lines.

Also, if your car is equipped with an automatic emergency braking feature, then it might not register when you have your foot on the brake. This, in turn, could lead to an accident.

4. Don’t Eat in Your Car

We know, it’s hard not to bite into that tasty food if you are really hungry. However, it’s not a good idea to eat in your car. Not only does eating in your car lend itself to creating spills and other messes, but it can also be distracting if you eat while driving.

Additionally, experts warns that having food in your car is a safety issue as the amount of bacteria on your food can double if you store it in your car – at a temperature between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, that fast food can make your car smell. So it’s best to save your meals for your destination.

5. Avoid Smoking in Your Car

We know, smoking cigarettes is a habit that many people enjoy and we’re not one to judge. However, it’s worth it to note that the smoke from cigarettes can wreak havoc on your car’s interior, just like it does in your lungs. 

The smoke can damage the interior plastics and fabrics and make it smell for the life of the car. Here’s how you can rid your car’s interior of the cigarette smell.

6. Slow Down for Speed Bumps

It’s a no-brainer that you should slow down for speed bumps. After all, they’re called “speed bumps” for a reason.  However, if you choose to speed over them then don’t be surprised when your car has suspension and tires issues later on. Not to mention damaged steering components as well.

7. Stop Neglecting your Car’s Tire Pressures

Did you get used to seeing that tire pressure light on the dashboard? We know, it’s easy to ignore. However, doing so can lead to worse fuel economy. 

In that case, make sure to check your tire’s pressures once a month and inflate to the proper pressure according to the owner’s manual. Doing so will not only lead to better fuel economy and tire wear, but it will also turn that annoying light off.

8. Don’t Forget to Engage the Emergency Brake

While the emergency brake may only seem like it should be used in the case of an emergency, it should technically be used whenever you park the car. By not engaging the brake, you’re asking the transmission to do all the work when it comes to holding the car in place. 

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That may eventually lead to the transmission popping out of gear. So remember to engage the parking brake every time.

9. Don’t Ignore Recalls

Do you ever find out that a car you’re interested in has had some recalls in the past? Buying cars that have been known to be recalled is dangerous in Nigeria, as these recalls does not include Nigeria. If you find out that a car you’re buying has been previously recalled, please by all means, avoid it.

Conclusion

If you are guilty of doing any of these 9 things to your car, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. However, you might be worrying soon enough if car problems start to pop up due to your neglect. Just remember to pay attention to these areas and your car should last for many years to come.