Bad habits that cause cars to break down quickly

1.Trying to drive with a low gas tank

Driving on a low fuel tank is also not good because the fuel at the bottom of the car's tank is often full of impurities such as sediment and debris. If this condition persists for several days, these impurities can clog the fuel filter and lines, which will force you to pay for repairs.

To keep the gas pump in good condition, the driver should keep the gas in the tank at least about a quarter full.

2. Carrying too much weight

While many people often think that this does not affect the car too much, they do not know that this habit increases the weight of the car, negatively affecting fuel consumption, shock absorption and braking systems.

Modern cars are designed to carry heavy loads, but that doesn't mean they can be overloaded. Your owner's manual will usually tell you the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle. The more weight, the more stress is placed on the brakes, suspension, and transmission.

It's also important to note that while leaving unnecessary items — like golf clubs or exercise equipment — in your car's trunk won't put extra stress on your car's components, it will affect your car's fuel economy and may impact your car's emissions.

3. Drive fast continuously

Of course, driving fast continuously for a long time will increase fuel consumption a lot, but that's not all.

This habit also causes the components of the powertrain, suspension setup and braking system to be affected by having to work harder than normal.

4. Shift gears before stopping the vehicle

Shifting between reverse and drive (and vice versa) in a car with an automatic transmission is bad for the transmission system. Automatic transmissions are designed to shift gears - while the brakes are designed to bring the car to a stop.

Shifting before stopping will cause wear, rather than wear, on the brake discs and pads, which are designed to wear out.

The same applies to manual transmission cars, so the driver should come to a complete stop before shifting into reverse (although most modern cars will not allow shifting without stopping).

5. Rest your hand on the gear lever

This is a completely bad habit because when encountering unexpected situations, the driver will not have time to put his hands on the steering wheel to steer, not to mention many people often panic while handling the situation, leading to the possibility of mistakenly shifting gears, accidentally shifting to another gear. Normally, drivers are always advised to keep both hands on the steering wheel to ensure safety.

In addition, resting your hand on the gear lever also causes the gear control yoke to wear out quickly, causing damage to the gearbox. Some manuals even specifically warn against this habit, users need to check carefully when using the vehicle.

6. Ignoring warning symbols

The warning lights on the dashboard do not come on by accident, they only come on when the car is having problems. Therefore, if the driver does not pay attention to these warnings, it may not cause immediate danger to the car, but after a period of continuous use, the car owner will most likely have to spend a lot of money on car repairs.

Drivers should check their owner's manual to learn what the warning lights on their dashboard mean and familiarize themselves with the most serious warning lights, helping them know which ones require immediate stopping and action while driving.

7. Brake continuously when going downhill

Constant braking is a bad habit that can increase the wear and tear on your brake pads and discs. This will result in them needing to be replaced more often, adding unnecessary costs to your driving.

When going downhill, it is best to shift into a lower gear, apply the brakes lightly a few times, and then release the pedal to let the brakes cool. Remember to only apply the brakes when necessary, before repeating this process until you reach the bottom of the hill.

8. Driving over potholes and speed bumps

Reports have shown that one-third of all vehicle damage is caused by potholes, so it’s best to avoid these road hazards. The impact can cause the wheel to warp or even crack, as well as throw the wheel off balance.

Similarly, driving over a speed bump without slowing down can cause damage to the front and rear of the vehicle, underneath, and possibly the exhaust system.

9. Do not wait for the machine to warm up

It is recommended that drivers allow their cars to warm up gradually each time they turn them on, especially if they have not been driven for a while or if the weather is cold. Starting the car quickly is one of the most common bad driving habits that will damage the car as most people are in a hurry to get to their destination.

Allowing your car's engine to warm up for a minute or two before driving will help the oil reach temperature and distribute properly throughout the engine block. A cold engine will not speed up the process. Instead, it will have a negative impact on engine components.

10. Do not use the handbrake

For automatic transmission vehicles, even when parking on a flat road and in P mode, the driver should still use the handbrake. According to vehicle experts, when parking, the entire weight of the vehicle is concentrated on a very small part, only the size of a finger, the parking pawl. This part is very easy to wear or break, so pulling the handbrake is a measure to help support and increase the life of the parking pawl.

Accordingly, automatic car drivers should follow these steps when parking: Step on the foot brake to stop the car completely, pull the handbrake, then move the gear lever from D to P. Only then turn off the engine.