Most people believe that good drivers are those who don’t get into car accidents. But that’s not true. A good driver obeys the law and the rules of the road. They care about their safety and that of other road users. They are also concerned about their vehicle and avoid minor, everyday habits that damage vehicles over time.
Here are 3 bad habits that can damage your car. Avoid them at all costs!
1. Avoiding Basic Maintenance
If you don’t have the time to take your car to an auto shop for regular maintenance, you’re better off without one. Neglecting your car is one of the worst things you can do. You decrease its durability as well as its resale value.
If you take good care of your car, it will be a lifesaver in times of need. When you need money for an emergency, you can get a good title loan by using search times like “title loans near me.”
Paying for regular maintenance pays off in the long run. Take your car to the mechanic regularly and follow the manufacturer’s schedule to maximize its value. It won’t break down in the middle of nowhere and cost you an arm and a leg to repair.
2. Excessive Hard Braking
Driving a new car gives you an adrenaline rush, which is why some new drivers drive like there’s no tomorrow. However, you need to be gentle with your car when it’s still new. Go easy on the gas and avoid hard braking. Even if you’re an experienced driver, hard braking is still a bad idea.
Braking too much and too hard means you’re not paying attention to traffic or you’re driving too fast. Some high-tech cars can tell when you’re experiencing driver fatigue. They consider sharp steering movements, hard braking, and accelerating signs of driver fatigue.
Accelerating and braking smoothly makes your brakes last longer, keeps you and other road users safer, and saves fuel. With regular maintenance, the brakes of most modern cars perform amazingly well.
3. Riding the Clutch
Keeping the clutch partially depressed usually happens when you’re attempting a hill-start or fail to take your foot off the pedal after changing gears. However, it’s not an issue for people who drive automatic cars.
Riding the clutch is a terrible habit some people pick up with time and can be quite hard to break. It makes a car harder to control and accelerates a clutch’s natural wear and tear, shortening the plate’s life span. You’ll have to replace the clutch more frequently and pay out of your pocket–most manufacturer warranties don’t cover clutch replacement.
To avoid riding the clutch, lift your foot off the clutch pedal or use the off-clutch footrest–if you have it. And when you’re performing hill-starts, leave the car in neutral until you’re ready to move.
When you take good care of your car, you steer clear of costly repairs and extend its lifespan. Avoid these 3 bad habits that will ruin your vehicle.