Here is how careless driving destroys your car components

Bad driving habits can seriously destroy your car tires and many other parts.

Besides buying a house, puschasing a car must be the next biggest financial investment in your life. Whether it is an old or brand-new car, we all want to make the most of it and keep it as long as possible. However, there is a long list of bad driving habits that though most motorists are unaware of yet can seriously ruin many car components.

Although there is no way to 100% ensure the perfect condition of a vehicle except not using it, there are a few things to keep in mind when sitting behind the wheel. Read through our article on Philkotse.com to know which and how car parts can be damaged due to bad driving habits.

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1. Brake

Speaking of braking, it is possible that you are a driver of the "stop-then-go” style. This is a very common type of driving in areas where traffic jams often occur: speeding and then braking a second later when the road is jammed again. This habit will quickly wear off the brake pads. Whether there is traffic congestion or not, the driver should learn how to smoothly execute the technique above.

"Stop-then-go” style will quickly wear off the brake pads

If you put the brakes on frequently, you may be overcharging the accelerator pedal, and solving the problem will also be beneficial in terms of fuel efficiency. Moreover, if the jam is too bad, using engine brakes will be quieter and more efficient than slamming foot brake continuously.

Applying both the brake and the accelerator pedal at the same time is not only unbeneficial but also puts a lot of strain on the brakes, which wears off the brakes and reduces fuel efficiency - the problem that often happens when drivers are anxious and try to adjust the moving speed. In cases where speed control is required, experienced car drivers advise that using only brakes is more effective.

When parking, use the parking brake. As the handbrake does not serve any other purposes, the use of the handbrake reduces the burden and increases the lifespan of the brakes.

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2. Steering and suspension system

The suspension is designed to allow the vehicle to withstand heavy loads if required. However, in practice, the extra load that is unnecessary will put considerable pressure on the suspension systems. This is also true when you want to tow a load behind the car. Although there is no need to worry about regarding the correct weight ratio, the driver should know how much the truck's load capacity is. Exceeding the limit may have no effect at the time but will cause long-term damage. Therefore, it will be very necessary to equip yourself with essential knowledge as well as handy tips for your car maintenance in general and your suspension in particular such as how to diagnose your car suspension problems.

Handling effectively the gear shifting system is critical if you want to limit wear and tear. With a new driver, a sudden gear shift or a change between moving forward and reversing without a complete halt could result in damage to the gearbox. Do not touch the gear shifter when not in use, and, in a similar manner, the clutch in the vehicle using the manual transmission. Even a small pressure can affect the transmission system unintentionally. When using the car, drivers need to keep in mind these car components are very sensitive.

The suspension is designed to allow the vehicle to withstand heavy loads if required

And it is needless to say: staying away from weaving can significantly increase the longevity of the car. Although rolling the Camry around the corner as if you are in the Formula 1 race can be extremely exciting, the steering and tire will be under great pressure. Pay close attention to the potholes and deceleration ramp. Running through the deceleration ramp at high speed can damage the gearbox. So, watch the road carefully and only keep the speed at about 8km/h when passing the deceleration ramp.

3. Tires

Check the tire regularly. Pumping tires regularly and changing tires when needed can help owners avoid a series of troubles. Tires that are under-inflated can reduce the travel distance by as much as 15% with the same amount of fuel. According to experts experienced in car handling, you should form a habit of measuring tire pressures once a month.

Pumping tires regularly and changing tires when needed can help owners avoid a series of troubles

Also, make sure the tires fit the type of terrain that you will travel. If you live in the countryside with roads that are mostly rocky, tires used in the city will be degraded more quickly than tires that are specifically designed for the stony terrain. Choosing the right tire can bring about significant safety benefits.

Make sure the tires are not rubbed by anything when parked. If the tires rub against the curb or the parking lot margin, roll back a little bit to allow some space for the tires.

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4. Body and chassis

If the dents on the car start to rust, you should carry out the mending as soon as possible. Rusted surfaces will gradually degrade the vehicle. This can be slowed down by coating and sealing. Home-based solutions are only temporary and if you want to solve the problem thoroughly, take your car to a reputable auto repair center.

Regular cleaning and car wash will help to extend the lifespan. For example, in addition to causing discomfort, bird droppings also show the acidic effects that can damage the coating. It is much better than you do not hesitate to clean off the stains immediately.

Just like suspension and tires, you should be careful in dealing with obstructions such as potholes and deceleration ramps. The body is also one of the five most vulnerable parts of the automobile because of potholes.

5. Power system

Leaving electronic devices on when the engine is turned off (such as stereo and headlights) will cause the battery to run out. In this case, it is necessary to replace the battery. If you need to use the stereo, you should not forget to switch the engine on every 15 minutes.

If you have no need to use the car for a long period of time (for instance in the winter), you should make sure that the engine is started at least twice a month. It will help protect the battery from wearing out. Batteries for the car is very costly and it is regrettable when such an expensive item is ruined due to the lack of usage.

You should make sure that the engine is started at least twice a month

It is the best scenario that the OBD-II codes (onboard diagnostics parameter IDs) are resolved as soon as they appear on the dashboard. This action applies to other components as well – not just for the electronic parts. In addition to driving carefully, a timely and proper control over issues related to car parts is the best way to mitigate damage.

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