10 bad driving habits that are bad for your car

Your car, you can't live without it and you take care of it. At least you would think so! Regular maintenance is obviously very important but the way you drive is also important for the preservation of your car. Here are 10 bad driving habits that can cause damage to your vehicle and how to prevent them!

10 bad driving habits

1. Driving through potholes: fortunately, in the Netherlands the potholes in public roads are not so bad but you still come across them sometimes. Big holes in the road. Hitting a pothole head-on at high speeds can damage a tyre, not to mention the toll it takes on your suspension, steering and alignment. Stay alert and consider road conditions to avoid potholes. If you cannot avoid a pothole without turning into another lane at the last moment, slow down instead. By doing so, you minimise the impact of possible damage.
2. Racing over speed bumps. Like potholes, speed bumps have a negative effect on your car's steering, suspension and alignment when driven over them at high speeds. The purpose of speed bumps is to keep motorists and pedestrians safe. So think about your neighbours and fellow road users and brake when approaching a speed bump.
3. Forgetting the handbrake. Did you know that you should use your handbrake every time you park? It doesn't matter if the terrain is flat or hilly. The gearbox can keep the vehicle from moving when in 'Park', but the only part really designed to keep the wheels in place is the handbrake. It is best to engage your handbrake before putting the gear in park to reduce the load on the transmission.
4. Not stopping before switching from reverse to forward. It happens to all of us, we are in a hurry and sometimes switch to "Drive" while the car is still rolling in reverse. Keep in mind that every time you are impatient, the gearbox takes a hit. The transmission system relies on the brakes to stop the movement of the car so that it can shift smoothly between gears. So make sure you have come to a complete stop before changing direction.
5. Running too long on low fuel. Did you know that petrol acts as a coolant in the fuel system? So if the tank is almost empty, parts can overheat and fail. The fuel pump, fuel system and catalytic converter can be damaged if you run out of fuel completely. It is recommended to fill up the car when it gets to a quarter tank of petrol.
6. Ignoring dashboard warning lights. Don't ignore the dashboard warning lights when they appear, your vehicle is really asking for help! Pay attention to the engine control light, battery, coolant, airbag and oil warning lights. If you see a warning light appear, go to a garage or delve into the problem yourself.
7. Improper use of the brakes. If you rest your foot on the brake pedal when going down a steep slope or in stationary traffic, the brakes may overheat. Brakes lose some of their stopping power when they overheat. Instead of braking with the pedal, try braking on the bike using the gears. Try shifting to a lower gear when driving down a steep hill and driving carefully with extra space between vehicles, using less throttle to slow down instead of using the brakes.
8. Driving off hard or braking too hard/too much. If you have to brake hard, it is often for a reason. But sometimes sudden or hard braking can also be avoided by looking well ahead. Clearly, braking harder wears the brakes faster and fast acceleration uses more fuel.
9. Running a cold engine. Starting the engine and letting it idle for a few minutes will warm it up and give the oil time to circulate. However, do not rev the engine when it is cold. This causes unnecessary wear on engine parts that have not had time to be lubricated with thorough oil circulation. It also causes abrupt temperature changes that can damage parts. Let the engine warm up before pressing the throttle, it will sound better and rev more smoothly.
10. Driving with extra weight. We're not talking about the passengers here but clean out the boot, for example. No need to lug the golf clubs or hockey sticks with you when you go to the supermarket. Every kilo of extra weight affects fuel consumption, putting extra strain on the suspension, driveline and brake components. Lighten the load and give your vehicle a thorough cleaning so that you carry only what is most necessary.

We know that bad habits are sometimes hard to stop, especially driving habits for seasoned drivers. No matter how much time you spend driving every day, you want to take good care of your car and avoid unnecessary repair costs. So if you find yourself doing any of the bad habits mentioned above, think about the money you will save if you break them.