{"id":1264,"date":"2022-12-12T17:29:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T17:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=1264"},"modified":"2025-01-17T17:04:12","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T17:04:12","slug":"5-mistakes-drivers-make-ruin-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/auto-tips\/5-mistakes-drivers-make-ruin-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Driving Mistakes That Ruin Cars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to the safety of your vehicle, auto insurance<\/a> is just one part of the equation. Have you ever wondered why some people can keep their vehicles on the road seemingly forever, while others trash theirs in record time? It\u2019s not rocket science, but some drivers have an innate ability to make mistakes that ruin cars. The key words here may be \u201cwithout trying\u201d to maintain their vehicles so they run at their peak for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needless to say, we\u2019re all different. Some of us take the time to check fluids, tire pressure, headlights and tail lights for functionality, but a few of us take the beast we drive for granted. After all, cars are meant to be driven and trucks driven harder. Interesting point of view but, when you consider the price of a new car or truck these days\u2026keeping it running should be a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those of you who unlock the doors, turn the ignition key and drive away on a regular basis, without so much as checking to see when you last had your vehicle serviced, are headed for a costly conversation with a mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the five most common mistakes<\/a> that drivers make that are sure to speed up the demise of their vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Ignoring Regular Maintenance Schedule<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Neglect and mistreatment will turn your new vehicle into an unappreciative pile of junk in no time, especially if you make a habit of it. Your vehicle\u2019s manufacturer sets maintenance guidelines for a reason. Regular service, including oil and filter replacement at the proper mileage intervals, as well as inspecting transmission fluid<\/a>, air filter, and brake pads can keep the vehicle running and operating safely. Of course, you can always wait until the engine or transmission give out and drop some heavy cash to replace them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Avoid Mistakes That Ruin Cars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your engine is comprised of many elements and systems, all of which need proper ongoing care. This includes getting a regular oil change (according to your owner\u2019s manual specifications) and using the proper motor oil. The oil change and the choice to use either a synthetic (the best for most modern cars) motor oil or a conventional oil are up to you \u2013 what\u2019s important is doing this regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t neglect a hot engine, either. If your radiator needs water and doesn\u2019t get it, your engine could seize \u2013 a major problem. Radiator coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze and this fluid is used throughout your engine to cool things down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although you cannot maintain a fuel pump in the same manner you can your radiator, there are some tips you can use to keep it working longer. Use only a good quality fuel, try to keep your fuel tank at least half full and don\u2019t get gas if the tanker is there fueling the station. The average cost of a new fuel pump is around $800, so try to keep yours healthy as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your battery is also an important component. Although most modern batteries are maintenance free, you should have your battery load-tested during your annual service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ignoring the All-Important Dash Warning Lights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Those annoying flashing engine or other lights on your instrument panel are nothing more than a warning and can be ignored until something really bad happens, right? Well, actually, those annoying lights may be telling you something bad is about to happen to your engine or other vital component of your vehicle. If a dashboard light<\/a> comes on while driving, address the problem immediately. Don\u2019t wait! Ignoring these lights is at the top of the list for car mistakes that may end up costing you a lot of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may have to look in your manual to find out what these little flashing or lit up icons mean but do that as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Interpret Dashboard Lights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s really no work at all to look in your manual for the example of the lighted icon and what it means. Some lights are for information only (such as to let you know the temp has dropped below 40 degrees and you should stay alert for ice) to that dreaded engine light, which is an example of something that needs attention immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your manual has many parts to it, but the order is fairly clear cut. You should familiarize yourself with the parts you may need, such as recommendations for when you need an oil change, what kind of oil to use and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Incorrect Shifting and Other Tranny Mistakes That Ruin Cars<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you have a manual or automatic transmission, there are things to do to make sure you don\u2019t spend unnecessary funds trying to repair them. For your automatic tranny, experts say you should avoid shifting the transmission from drive into reverse or the other way around while the vehicle is still moving. The more often you do this the more money you\u2019re going to spend in a short period of time. Transmissions are extremely costly to replace and this type of \u201cjerky\u201d practice can destroy an automatic transmission fairly quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the manual transmission, take your foot completely off the clutch every time you gear shift. \u201cRiding the clutch\u201d puts too much strain on the clutch and gearbox. Understand what gear you are supposed to be in when driving. If you drive in the wrong gear, you will wear your gear shift out faster and cause major problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never try to pull more weight than your vehicle’s towing capacity<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Take Better Care of Your Transmission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though the manual transmission is getting more rare, there are things you can do to keep it \u2013 and the automatic transmission – healthy for longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n