Most of the issues our cars develop are often not because we are trying to ruin our cars ourselves. Some are a result of not knowing. It’s very possible to be doing something wrong with your car that could cause serious damage without knowing you’re doing something wrong. Unless someone taught you the ins and outs of vehicle care, you likely don’t know a lot.
To avoid unknowingly damaging your car in ways that could lead to expensive repairs, here are common ways people unknowingly harm their cars and lower their car resale value.
- Not Using Parking Brakes
Using your parking brake (or emergency brake) is not only when driving through steep hills. Not using car parking brakes leads to the risk of straining your transmission, which leads to a costly repair. Using parking brakes is a small thing to do to keep your car in good shape for as long as possible.
- Neglecting Car Repairs
Staying on top of minor car repairs can prevent the need for more extensive and expensive fixes later. For example, if you don’t replace a dirty air filter, it could stress your heater fan until it fails. Plus, repairs keep you safe. If your car fails, your risk of car wreckage goes up.
- Not Regularly Washing Your Car
Dirt and bird droppings can scratch your vehicle’s paint and hurt your car’s undercarriage. Chemicals used on pavement can cause damage and rust, too. So consider this a good reason to wash your vehicle regularly. It’s a small price to pay for a healthy car.
- Not Paying Attention to Vehicle Leaks
If your vehicle is leaking fluid, don’t ignore it. You can quickly determine the source by the colour. A brown or black leak is usually oil; red liquid comes from the power steering fluid or transmission; coolant leaks are typically slimy and bright. Leaking fluid often indicates a larger issue, so getting your car inspected is essential so you don’t end up with a more expensive problem later.
- Ignoring the Warning Lights
Ignoring warning lights coming up in your vehicle is a clear sign of setting your vehicle up for serious damage. If your vehicle consistently brings up warning lights, then it means something needs quick attention, and you should verify what the issue is.
- Hitting Potholes
While Driving over a pothole is inevitable, if you can, it’s best to avoid them or at least take them at a slower speed. Potholes can bend your wheels, throw your car out of alignment, and even break suspension components.
- Not Regularly Checking the Tire Pressure
Keeping your wheels at the right pressure is essential. If your tire pressure is too low or high, you’re at a much bigger risk of a severe accident. The good news is when you complete routine maintenance; they check tire pressure; if you suspect something is off, you can always add air to your tires yourself.
- Smoking in Your Car
Aside from the smell, the chemicals in cigarette smoke bond with the car’s materials, causing discolouration and making the smell permanent. Plus, car experts confirm smoking in a car decreases the value. If you aren’t going to quit smoking, you can at least consider a smokeless nicotine alternative, like gum or lozenges, in the car.
Conclusion
There are so many negligible things we do without cars that lead to damage. These are some of them, and avoiding doing them will enable your vehicle last longer.
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