{"id":67789,"date":"2023-11-14T09:50:40","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T08:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carmart.africa\/blog\/?p=67789"},"modified":"2023-11-14T09:50:40","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T08:50:40","slug":"stop-doing-these-9-things-if-you-dont-want-to-be-spending-money-at-the-mechanic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carlots.ng\/motoring\/stop-doing-these-9-things-if-you-dont-want-to-be-spending-money-at-the-mechanic\/","title":{"rendered":"Stop Doing These 9 Things If You Don\u2019t Want to be Spending Money at the Mechanic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re the type of driver that likes to just \u201cstick the key in and go,\u201d then there\u2019s a chance that you have developed some bad ownership habits along the way.\u00a0That\u2019s not to say you can\u2019t just drive your car<\/a>, but proper care and awareness of what you\u2019re doing to your car are important if you want it to last a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 9 things that you could be doing to ruin your car and not even be aware of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Stop Running Your Car on \u201cempty\u201d Fuel Tank<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Do you like running the car until the fuel needle is hovering just above the \u201cempty\u201d mark? We can\u2019t blame you considering the crazy fuel prices nowadays. However, running your car \u201con fumes\u201d regularly can end up damaging it. According to experts<\/a>, having gas in your car\u2019s fuel tank cools the fuel pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the fuel pump overheats, it can cause a misfire, hesitation, and poor fuel economy. Make sure not to run your car on empty if you want to avoid having to replace the fuel pump or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Don\u2019t Ignore Any Strange Noises<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      When driving your car, do you hear any strange noises like a humming, whirring, or knocking sound? If so, any of these sounds could potentially be bigger issues that can end up costing you a lot of money in repairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      As such, you should not ignore these strange sounds and get them checked out by a qualified mechanic right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Stop Riding the Brakes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        If you like to keep one foot on the gas pedal and one foot on the brake, then you should refrain from doing so immediately. Applying even a little pressure to the brake pedal while you\u2019re accelerating \u2013 also known as \u201criding the brakes \u2013 can burn out the car\u2019s brake lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Also, if your car is equipped with an automatic emergency braking feature, then it might not register when you have your foot on the brake. This, in turn, could lead to an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Don\u2019t Eat in Your Car<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          We know, it\u2019s hard not to bite into that tasty food if you are really hungry. However, it\u2019s not a good idea to eat in your car. Not only does eating in your car lend itself to creating spills and other messes, but it can also be distracting if you eat while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Additionally, experts warns that having food in your car is a safety issue as the amount of bacteria on your food can double if you store it in your car \u2013 at a temperature between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, that fast food can make your car smell. So it\u2019s best to save your meals for your destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          1. Avoid Smoking in Your Car<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            We know, smoking cigarettes is a habit that many people enjoy and we\u2019re not one to judge. However, it\u2019s worth it to note that the smoke from cigarettes can wreak havoc on your car\u2019s interior, just like it does in your lungs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The smoke can damage the interior plastics and fabrics and make it smell for the life of the car. Here\u2019s how you can rid your car\u2019s interior of the cigarette smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            1. Slow Down for Speed Bumps<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              It\u2019s a no-brainer that you should slow down for speed bumps. After all, they\u2019re called \u201cspeed bumps\u201d for a reason.\u00a0 However, if you choose to speed over them then don\u2019t be surprised when your car has suspension and tires issues later on. Not to mention damaged steering components as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              1. Stop Neglecting your Car\u2019s Tire Pressures<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Did you get used to seeing that tire pressure light on the dashboard? We know, it\u2019s easy to ignore. However, doing so can lead to worse fuel economy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                In that case, make sure to check your tire\u2019s pressures once a month and inflate to the proper pressure according to the owner\u2019s manual. Doing so will not only lead to better fuel economy and tire wear, but it will also turn that annoying light off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                1. Don\u2019t Forget to Engage the Emergency Brake<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  While the emergency brake may only seem like it should be used in the case of an emergency, it should technically be used whenever you park the car. By not engaging the brake, you\u2019re asking the transmission to do all the work when it comes to holding the car in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n