5 ways you can damage your car

As a car owner, your responsibility does not stop with learning to drive and following traffic rules.  You need to know how to care for your vehicle and maximize its productive life. Here in the Philippines, owning a car is considered to be a privilege and luxury.

A significant percentage of brand-new vehicles that are being driven on the streets are care of car loans that allow you to pay for the car over three to five years.

That reason alone is more than enough to take extra good care of your vehicle - unless you are willing to shell out extra cash in case something goes wrong, and it is not covered by warranty or insurance.

So Philkotse.com has decided to provide you with some things that you should stop doing to your car before it’s too late.

Do maintenance check regularly

1. Are you driving fast on bad and unpaved roads?

Here in the Philippines, it is quite normal to find streets that are in bad condition, and you have to take extra caution when driving. Seeing potholes are quite normal especially in less developed parts of the country.

If you encounter potholes, better drive slowly because it can cause your tires to explode, leading lots of car suspension problems and wheel alignment.

That’s going to cost a pretty penny. If you can avoid them, try not to pass by these roads unless you are driving with 4x4 vehicles.

Avoid pothole as much as you can

2. Are you ignoring your vehicle’s PMS (preventive maintenance schedule)?

Most Filipino drivers are guilty of making this mistake because they think that nothing serious will happen to their car if they prolong or keep delaying a trip to the casa. Typically, if you are driving your car on a daily basis, you should keep to a three-month schedule in between visits to your mechanic.

Better yet, refer to your owners’ manual for more information. Not having a regular oil change, for instance, can wear out your car oil filter and damage your engine. Once water starts to enter the engine and mixes with oil, then expect to pay a hefty price to have your car running again.

>>> Also check out: PMS Car Guideline: Keeping Your New Car in Tip-Top Shape

Remember to regularly check your oil level to know when engine oil should be changed

Regular check-ups are essential to make sure that your car is in excellent condition at all times.

Checkups are the perfect time for the mechanic to check for minor issues that can be repaired before the problem gets more significant - and costly. If your vehicle is no longer under warranty, then you should set aside extra money for car repairs.

3. Are you checking the tire pressure regularly?

Checking the car tire pressure is one of the things that every driver should regularly do. One of the common reasons why our tires have a shorter lifespan is because of poor tire pressure.

You can have this checked for free at your local gasoline stations, or you can simply buy a tire gauge for a few hundred pesos. Your recommended tire pressure can be found in your owner's manual or on the driver’s door frame.

Check tire pressure if you have difficulty steering

4. Are you paying attention to blinking warning lights?

Most drivers know very well that warning lights are placed on the instrument panel for a reason. However, some of us might choose to ignore the annoying warning lights thinking that nothing serious is going to happen to you and your car any time soon.

If you really care about your safety, best to pull over and check what those lights are about. Regardless if the issue is big or small, it is a must that we should check what is going on with our vehicles to prevent more significant and underlying problems in the future. Take it to the shop pronto.

As a driver, you should know the meaning behind the warning lights on your dashboard

>>> Must read: Basic Car Warning Signs You Should Know By Heart

5. Are you not cleaning your car regularly?

Yes, washing your car or bringing it to your neighborhood car wash is essential to make it look more presentable and clean. But aside from that, regular car washing gets rid of mud that is stuck under your car - eventually causing permanent damage if neglected.

Also, exposure to dust and dirt can cause your car paint to get damaged; that is why it is essential to have your car cleaned at least twice a week

Regularly take a DIY car wash