For many people, being able to get from point A to point B without getting into an accident is enough to be a good driver. However, that is just describing what a safe driver is. To be a good driver, you have to protect not only yourself and your passengers but also your car from any harm or danger. You have to identify any bad habits so that you can change and fix them and extend your car’s life.

Below Are Six Examples Of Bad Driving Habits That Could Cause Damage To Your Car:

Racing Over Potholes, Speed Bumps, And Poor Road Conditions

Driving too fast over potholes, speed bumps, and poor road conditions can negatively impact your car’s alignment, steering, and suspension. For the good of your car and your safety, avoid them or slow down when driving over them.

Overloading

Your car might look huge and sturdy but it cannot carry an infinite amount of weight. If you check your car owner’s manual, you should find information about the maximum load weight your car can carry to avoid placing too much strain on it. Whether you are going camping or moving your stuff to your new home, you have to stay under the weight limit to prevent damage to your suspension, drivetrain, brakes, and other components.

Riding the Clutch

It usually takes some time for manual car drivers to understand how to properly control the clutch. Especially during the first few months, stepping on it while already driving or after changing gears is a common occurrence. If this becomes a habit, the clutch will suffer from excessive wear and tear and have to be replaced sooner than you expect.

Dragging the Brakes

A lot of people drag their brakes when they drive downhill. If you do the same, you should stop right away. This habit is not good for your car as it increases the wear and tear on your discs and brake pads. It will force you to replace these parts more times than you should and give you an unnecessary expense that can be totally avoided. When driving downhill, the right thing to do is to shift to a low gear and only brake lightly when necessary.

Ignoring the Dashboard Warning Lights

Those symbols and lights you see on the dashboard are not just there for decoration. They are a way for your car to tell you that there is something wrong. If you notice a red warning light, get your car checked out by a mechanic right away.

Not Doing Regular Car Maintenance

Your car needs to be closely examined regularly to ensure that it is in good condition and to spot potential issues before they get worse. With the help of a mechanic, problems with the engine, rear brakes and rotors, front brake pads and rotors, and other components can be detected early on. They can help replace a damaged engine, worn rear brakes and rotors, faulty front brake pads and rotors, and other components so that you can safely drive your car again.