When it comes to driving habits, even the most seasoned drivers commit mistakes. However, there are a few unwanted habits that you must break as soon as possible if you aim to prolong the lifespan of your car. You may never know, you might even be doing driving habits that place you, your passengers, motorists, and pedestrians in great danger.
Check out this comprehensive list and see whether you are guilty of practising these bad driving habits and ways to fix them altogether.
Ignoring the lights on your dashboard
If one of your dashboard lights comes on, never ignore them and pay attention to the following:
- Brake light
Keeping your braking system in good condition at all times is a top priority. If your brake light comes in, make sure to check if your vehicle’s emergency break is working. If your emergency brake is off, this could mean there is a problem with your vehicle;s brake hydraulic system or diminishing brake fluid level.
- Airbag warning on
If your car’s airbag system light comes on, it is crucial that you schedule an inspection with your auto mechanic as soon as possible. Airbag warning on can mean a defective system that will most likely not deploy in the event of an accident. Another potential result is that your airbags may deploy at random which can cause you serious injury. Lastly, your airbag warning on can also mean that there is something wrong with your seatbelts. Nevertheless, it is best to check in with your Sydney car mechanic to fix the problem immediately.
- Tyre pressure warning light on
A tyre with below the ideal pressure can pose a serious hazard to you and other motorists. If the tyre pressure light comes on, it is important to check the tyre pressure immediately
- Oil pressure light on
When the oil pressure warning light comes on, this can mean that your car is low on oil or there is an issue with your bearing or oil pump. If you choose to ignore the oil pressure warning light, you might be in for a potential engine seizure which can be very costly to repair altogether. It is therefore imperative that you schedule a thorough inspection and assessment with a Sydney mechanic as soon as possible
- Check engine light on
The check engine light indicates whether there is a problem with crucial vehicle components, including fuel, emission system, and ignition. Since this light indicates the condition of many things, it’s best never to take a chance. Schedule an appointment with a reputable auto repair technician immediately.
Riding the brakes too hard
Riding the brakes means that you are leaving your foot on the brake pedal longer than necessary. This bad habit can result in premature wear and tear of your brake pads and overheating, which in turn diminishes the stopping power of your vehicle. Obviously, this is a major hazard, as you need your braking system to respond almost instantaneously when you need to brake. Instead of leaving your foot on the brake pedal while sitting in traffic or travelling downhill, it is best to lift your foot off the accelerator a little more to engage a slowdown. This practice will also give you enough space between your car and those behind and in front of you. If you are driving a manual transmission, try using a lower gear instead.
Immediately shifting from driver to reverse without stopping
Even if you are running late for an important meeting or errand, it is still best practice to come to a complete stop before shifting between gears. This is especially true if you are shifting from drive to reverse. Otherwise, your harsh gear change habit can result in irreversible damage to your transmission and effectively shorten your car’s lifespan.
Hitching potholes
Potholes are everywhere, and in some cases, they are unavoidable. These nuisances are hard to avoid especially if you are driving at high speed or simply don’t notice their presence. Slamming your car into or driving over potholes intentionally at full speed can lead to serious and costly damages. Hitching potholes can result in damages to your wheel rims, exhaust system, main engine, broken suspensions, premature shock and trust wear, and tire puncture, to name a few.
The next time that you see a pothole, make sure to slow down if you decide to drive over it. However, it is best to simply drive around them to avoid potential damages to your car altogether.
Driving with low or empty fuel tank
We know that petrol prices have considerably gone up recently, but this should be a reason to make it a habit to drive your car on low or almost empty fuel tank level. If you keep too little gas in your tank, it can result in the malfunction of parts and overheating of crucial vehicle components, including the catalytic converter, fuel system, and fuel injection pump. Adding small amounts of petrol at a time will force your car to get gas from the bottom of the tank, where there is an accumulation of sediments. This practice can result in a clogged fuel filter. It is therefore critical to schedule regular fuel system cleanings and engine tune-ups to prevent costly damages.
Whether you wish to reverse the damages from bad driving habits or require major repairs on your vehicle, you can always trust in HP Automotive to provide you with outstanding service. As a premier auto maintenance and repair shop in Sydney, we deliver nothing less but quality customer support and attentive service from start to finish. To schedule an appointment with us, call our direct line on 02 9979 8372 today.