Common habits that damage cars

(Baonghean.vn) - When driving a car, there are habits due to laziness, saving money or ignorance that affect the life of the car. Below are habits that many drivers do not pay attention to.

Improper vehicle start

Starting the car, it sounds simple but in fact this is not the same as turning on the radio, turning on the TV or turning on the air conditioner. Many people often rush to go as soon as the car starts. This will cause the engine to wear out quickly because it has to work a lot while it is not really ready. On the contrary, many people start the engine just to warm up the car. This action not only does not warm up the car but also harms the engine if left for too long.

The best way to start is to hit the road after warming up the engine for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Hand rest on gear stick

Driving a manual car is often quite enjoyable, and when going over bumps, the driver will instinctively put one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the gear stick.

Resting your hand on the gearshift can put stress on the transmission's bearings and synchronizers, causing them to wear out faster. Regardless, it's best to keep both hands on the wheel. This will help the driver shift gears and maintain control during sudden steering maneuvers.

Do not use the handbrake

On automatic cars, many people often rely on the P gear without pulling the handbrake when parking, especially on slopes. The P gear mechanism is simply a ratchet gear without any rotating shaft, so if this gear is subjected to continuous force, it can wear out quickly or even break. Always use the handbrake to limit the pressure on the transmission.

Radiators are regularly filled with 100% plain water.

According to the principle and instructions, to protect the car, the radiator should be filled with 50% normal water and 50% coolant. However, many people still do not read the instructions carefully and are still not doing this, just using normal water to fill the radiator.

This causes water to evaporate very quickly and in winter it will freeze if the outside temperature drops too low. Operation will be problematic if this condition persists.

Let the gas tank run dry

Modern vehicles are designed to cool the fuel pump by the fuel in the tank. Constantly running the fuel tank low can cause the fuel pump to overheat and wear out. Keeping the tank at least a quarter full will keep the fuel pump in good condition.

Use the handbrake to stop the car for a long time

Using your hands to brake is very convenient, but prolonged braking will make the handbrake difficult to release, causing problems with the vehicle's operation. Even though the driver can use high speed to make the brake return to its original position. However, this operation will reduce the life of the handbrake.

Step on the gas when the engine is cold

If the car is left overnight or parked for a long time, the driver should let the car idle for a minute or two after restarting. This helps the engine warm up, the lubricating oil flows out, lubricating all the parts. If you step on the gas hard right after starting, it will create a sudden change in temperature, destroying the parts.

Wash the engine by spraying water at high pressure.

Keeping your car clean is a good habit, but using high-pressure water jets on your engine is a mistake. The strong jet of water will wash away dirt, but it will also cause many important parts in the engine to loosen or pop out. Therefore, a dirty engine that runs well is better for your car than a clean engine that "stutters".

Clutch abuse

Many drivers operate their clutch pedals this way. Even when they are stopped, they keep the clutch pedal pressed to the floor. This can help the car move forward in traffic or get ready to move when the light turns green. However, depressing the clutch pedal while stopped causes the surface to rub against it, causing wear and tear on the clutch pedal and loss of function. It also damages the release ring, clutch lever, and brake pads.

Instead of depressing the clutch and putting the car in drive, release the clutch and put it in neutral. When starting to move, first depress the clutch lightly before moving the car.

Turn around

Normally when turning the car, the driver will often turn the steering wheel to the maximum. However, if the steering wheel is often turned to the maximum, the mechanical force generated is affected, causing the steering wheel to need to be repaired quickly. Therefore, the driver should reduce the turning force to avoid damaging the car.

Suddenly shift from reverse (R) to drive (D)

When backing out of a parking space, many drivers use inertia to flick the gear shifter and start moving forward... This may not have an immediate effect, but over time such sudden changes in direction can damage the transmission.

Instead, bring the car to a complete stop before shifting. This only takes a few extra seconds and will prevent future damage to the axles, engine, and transmission.

Autopilot

You should not let the car run automatically, because doing so will cause the oil in the car's engine to not rise enough, thus further damaging the gearbox.

Brake when going downhill

Sometimes drivers apply the brakes when going downhill to avoid going too fast. However, this generates heat in the brake pads and rotors, causing wear and increasing the risk of overheating or warping. In addition, the hydraulic system can be disabled due to working under high pressure. The end result is brake failure.

One solution is to try shifting to a lower gear. The natural reduction in pressure in the transmission will help the car maintain a safe speed. This way, when you need to brake, you will find the braking is much more effective.

Using the wrong type of engine oil for your vehicle

Regularly changing the oil of the car will improve the efficiency of the car. If the oil is not the right type, not suitable for the engine, it will quickly lead to wear and tear of other parts inside the car. This makes the car will not be able to operate smoothly as usual and the engine will break down in a day or two.

Ignore the warning symbols

Dashboard warning lights don’t come on randomly, so if one comes on, there’s a good chance your car has a problem. Ignoring the warning might not cause immediate damage, but it could have long-term effects, and more importantly, could cause your car to stop suddenly while driving.

Ignoring the warning signs

Any strange vibrations, constant squealing, frequent knocking or other unusual symptoms should be checked immediately.

The driver may not notice any problem, but the longer it is left, the more trouble he will encounter if a part suddenly breaks down and the car will be stuck on the road./.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)