Bad driving habits can take a toll on your vehicle, leading to more frequent car repairs down the line. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or just obtained your license, correcting these errors will extend the life of your car. Here are some common habits that drivers should avoid.

How Bad Driving Habits Can Damage Your Car

1. Shifting Gears Without Stopping

When you’re in a hurry, it may be tempting to quickly shift gears from reverse to drive or vice versa without coming to a complete stop. Unfortunately, this can be hard on your transmission, which can’t switch gears and stop the car simultaneously. Brake until your vehicle is no longer in motion before switching gears for a smooth transition.

2. Sudden Braking & Accelerating

You may need to brake suddenly once in a while to avoid a collision, but don’t make it a habit. Hard braking rapidly wears down brake pads, strains the engine, and damages the rotors. Heavy acceleration also burns more fuel and can shorten the life span of your engine. Take your time and use a light amount of pressure when braking and accelerating.

3. Overloading Your Vehicle

Vehicles with a lot of extra room can seem like convenient storage spaces, but it’s never a good idea to overload a car. Some items are essential, such as a spare tire or emergency supplies, but too much unnecessary baggage adds a lot of weight to your vehicle. The heavier the load, the harder your car needs to work, which places excessive stress on crucial components and lowers fuel efficiency.

4. Hitting Potholes & Speed Bumps Head-On

Depending on where you live, the roads may be rife with potholes and speed bumps. Hitting these obstacles head-on at full speed can damage the suspension, alignment, and steering, resulting in expensive car repairs.

Minimize distractions and pay close attention to avoid potholes, or at least slow down if you can’t steer around them without crossing into another lane. Likewise, always reduce your speed before going over a speed bump.

5. Driving With Low Fuel Levels

Some drivers wait until their fuel tank is nearly empty before filling up on gas. However, when the fuel is low, your car will begin pulling gas from the bottom of the tank. Sediments that have settled there can then flow through the fuel line and filter, causing clogs and potentially harming your engine. If possible, always drive with at least a quarter tank of gas.

If your vehicle is damaged, get in touch with Gomes Bus Fleet Maintenance for reliable car repairs. Based in Kaneohe, HI, and serving all of Oahu, this full-service auto repair shop offers comprehensive repairs, maintenance, and Department of Transportation (DOT) safety checks at reasonable rates. Their skilled mechanics train continuously to stay up-to-date with the latest technology and techniques, so you can rest assured your vehicle is in experienced hands. Contact the team at (808) 239-6755 to schedule a car repair, or visit their website to learn more about services.