5 ways you’re hurting your car
EVERYDAY we rely on our vehicles to fulfil all of our transportation needs, whether we are running short errands or going on road trips. Unfortunately, sometimes we don’t do enough to keep our vehicles in tip-top shape.
Can your vehicle rely on you in the same way that you rely on it everyday? Auto mechanic and car enthusiast Roshane Holness shares five things that you do to your car that could be causing harm.
Overinflating your tyre
When you put too much air in your tyre you run the risk of premature tread wear in the centre of the tyre and increased operating temperatures that can lead to a tyre blow out.
“It is also important to check the recommended tyre pressure and adhere to it because too much air in the tyre can also result in a much rougher ride and wear out your suspension components,” Holness advised.
Letting the gas get too low
Yes, the wheels might still be going and it might get you to your destination, but consistently driving with very little gas in your tank can result in fuel pump failure.
“The general recommendation is that you don’t drive your vehicle at gas levels below a quarter tank. If you do, because the gas acts as a coolant for the pump, it will overheat if there is not enough fuel. Also, when the fuel level goes too low when driving, the pump will suck debris from the bottom of the tank,” Holness said.
He notes that when this happens the particles picked up will wear out the pump impeller and cause you to have low fuel pressure.
Ignoring the check engine and other warning lights
Check engine and warning lights are the car’s way of telling you when something goes awry, as well as it warns of impending car trouble. As such, ignoring these warnings can cause significant damage to your car as well as put you and other drivers at risk when on the road.
“As soon as you get these lights, unless it is something that you can figure out yourself, you should take your car to get evaluated to ensure that you don’t have to wind up spending big bucks for repairs,” Holness advised.
Driving your car when it is overheating
Even if you just have a short distance to go, Holness said that it is a bad idea to keep pressuring an overheating car.
“Continuing to drive when the car is overheating is putting pressure on the engine. Some of us have learned the hard way just how expensive engine repair or replacement is, and you might find yourself having to do one of these,” Holness said.
Another reason he said that you might want to stop is for your safety as an overheating car can result in an explosion and/or fire and you do not want to be in the car when this happens.
Putting off maintenance
The car seems to be working fine so you don’t have to do the recommended maintenance, right? Wrong! Holness said that by following the recommended guidelines for the age and mileage on your vehicle, you will keep your car running smoothly and safely, as well as you will end up saving on big repairs later.
