Tips & Tricks

What You Should Never Do To Your Car: 15 Tips

Find here some simple recommendations on how not to kill a vehicle and prevent it from breaking down ahead of time. There are at least 15 things you should never do to your car.

DON’T MAKE THE THINGS LISTED BELOW, if you consider yourself a caring car owner:

1. Ignore the maintenance guidelines because they are tailored to the characteristics of your vehicle, its age, and mileage. If you follow the recommended maintenance, you’ll extend the life of the car and save in advance on possible repairs.

2. Ignore any abnormal noises and warning lights (a check engine light and others), as your vehicle signalizes about problems with their help and ‘hints’ that it’s time to go to a qualified mechanic.

3. Allow an unqualified person to work on your car. It’d be better for you and your ‘iron horse’ if you’ll take the time to find a professional.

4. Forget to change the air filter: if the filter is fresh, it allows the engine to run smoothly and improves fuel economy. Most manufacturers recommend replacing air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

5. Neglect checking the air level in the tires regularly. Improper tire pressure makes driving unsafe and reduces fuel efficiency. tire pressure requirements are normally listed on the driver-side door post.

6. Wash and clean the car seldom. A good wash/thorough cleaning helps your vehicle preserve an attractive look, retain its resale value, and avoid corrosion caused by dirt. In winter, car washing is especially important as it deletes road salt.

7. Rev your car’s engine when it is cold outside. Revving the engine before it managed to warm up is damaging since the oil hasn’t had enough time yet to circulate and lubricate the unit in a proper way.

8. Leave your vehicle with keys in the ignition. This is the way to draw the attention of car thieves.

9. Let the fuel run low. Topping up is best when the fuel level is below half the mark. Emptied gas tank cuts the fuel pump’s life and puts the driver at risk of not reaching a refueling station.

10. Overload your vehicle. Extra weight puts extra strain on all components of your car, speeds up the wear and tear, and increases fuel consumption. Never exceed the limit of a prescribed maximum load.

11. Go fast over potholes and speed bumps. This is the most simple way to damage suspension, shock absorbers, tires, and other undercarriage components. |You should avoid potholes and go slowly over speed bumps.

12. Floor the gas pedal. Doing it makes the engine over-rev, and puts additional strain on the drivetrain. The car burns more fuel, and sharp braking that follows after a burst of speed is troublesome.

13. Stop abruptly except for emergencies. Sharp braking heats up the braking system, accelerates the wear of brake pads and tires, and increases the risk of a rear-end collision.

14. Shift gears between drive and reverse without bringing the car to a halt. You should never shift modes in automatic transmissions until the vehicle completely stops. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for days and pay a lot of money for the transmission repair.

15. Rest your hand on the gear shift lever. Indeed, it may be convenient to hold the hand on the lever in situations when frequent gear shifts are necessary but puts additional stress on the manual transmission’s components.

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