Driving habits are cultivated over time. Just as some might be advantageous and extend your car life, countless others do the reverse, damaging your car and denting your savings. If you avoid the following bad driving habits, you will significantly lessen the chances of damage to your car and savings.

Keeping a Small Amount of Fuel in Your Car

There may be times where the cost of filling your fuel tank might not fit into your budget, so you buy a couple of litres. This can lead to costly motor vehicle repairs in the long run. Modern fuel pumps are designed to be fully submerged in fuel which also acts a cooling fluid. Filling your tank with little fuel will cause it to heat up and wear out quickly. To prevent this from happening, you should at least a quarter full when fuelling up.

Revving the Engine When It’s Cold

After a cold start, it is usually advisable to allow the engine to warm up for a minute or two. This will give the oil sufficient time to circulate. The exhaust sounds great, but revving the engine when it’s cold will bring about an abrupt change in temperature which can damage some components. Furthermore, you risk wear and tear of engine parts that have not been lubricated by the oil circulation. Allow your engine to warm up properly, the revving sound at this stage is smoother and pocket-friendly.

Riding the Clutch

If your drive a manual transmission car, you should not ride the clutch at a stop light. All the time you spend riding the clutch ready to pull off as soon as the light turns green will cause damage to the release arm, the pressure plate and the pressure plate of your car. Stepping on the clutch pedal will cause its surfaces to grind over each other, wearing them out. This will increase the likelihood of a sudden failure. When the stop lights come up, stop with the clutch out. Press the clutch only when you want to engage the gears after the lights turn green.

Switching from Reverse to Drive Without Completely Stopping the Car

Many drivers shift from reverse to drive while the car is still moving backwards when trying to fit the car into a small parking spot. Avoid this bad driving habit at all costs, as it places an enormous strain on the drivetrain when it is suddenly forced to change to the opposite direction. Ensure you completely stop the car before switching from reverse to drive.

Hauling Extra Weight

Strip your vehicle of any unneeded cargo. Any additional weight will significantly impact handling, fuel economy, additional stress on the brakes, suspension, drivetrain components and many more. Thoroughly clean your trunk and interiors, ensure you only carry the essentials.

Break Those Bad Habits

Bad habits are difficult to break, especially if you are a seasoned driver. Correcting these habits, taking care of your vehicle and ensuring that you service your vehicle regularly can save on unnecessary vehicle repairs.