5. Stopping Too Hard
How far from the red light or stop sign do you apply the brakes? Do you wait until the very last moment? If so, you’re doing your car no favors, and are really just moving your next appointment with a mechanic that much closer. Hard braking puts a great deal of stress on your brake pads and rotors. Pads wear out faster, and rotors heat up more, increasing the chance of warping. It also has a negative effect on your brake fluid, reducing its use life. Make sure that you’re slowing down well before you have to stop. Your car will thank you with lower repair bills.
4. Not Doing Maintenance
Really, who has time to take their vehicle in for an oil change when they hit the mileage noted on the window sticker? It doesn’t hurt to go a few miles over, does it? Actually, it does hurt your engine, and you should ensure that you’re having your oil changed on time, every time. This goes well beyond engine oil, as well. Make sure that all of your maintenance is performed on time, from tire rotations to transmission services and everything in between. This is particularly important for fluid changes. All of the fluids in your engine have finite lifespans. Eventually, they degrade and are unable to protect vital components. Exceeding your maintenance limits puts your engine, transmission, radiator and other components in significant danger and can drastically reduce the lifespan of your car.
3. Driving with Low Fuel
How far can you drive after your “low fuel” light comes on? For most of us, it’s a decent distance, which makes it seem like doing so isn’t a bad thing. Don’t believe it. Driving with low fuel can be an engine killer. Why is that? When the fuel level in the tank drops too low, the car is forced to pump gasoline from the very bottom of the tank. Gasoline contains sediments that settle to the bottom. When you pump from this area, that sediment is sent into the fuel lines and the fuel filter, clogging it and reducing its lifespan. In addition, there’s always the possibility of some sediment making it through the fuel filter and into the engine, where it can cause significant damage. Try not to drive with less than half a tank of gas if at all possible.
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