Several drivers unknowingly do things daily that could shorten their car’s lifespan and lead to expensive repairs.
However, minor changes to how you drive and care for your car will make it last longer and run better.

Here are some everyday habits that could damage your car:

• Skipping regular maintenance

One of the worst things you can do is skip your car’s regular services and repairs. Minor issues, when left unchecked, can turn into expensive problems later. Ensuring your vehicle is regularly serviced helps catch issues before they worsen.

• Ignoring tyre maintenance

Your tyres are crucial for your safety and essential to the car’s consumption. Driving with incorrectly inflated tyres, worn-out tread, or malaligned tyres can affect your car’s handling and consumption. Keep an eye on your tyre pressure and replace them when needed.

• Riding the brakes

It’s a bad habit to keep your foot on the brake while driving downhill or to brake too hard. This action makes the brakes overheat, which wears down the brake pads and rotors much faster. Try using the engine to slow down when going down slopes, and brake gently to make your brakes last longer.

• Revving a cold engine

Revving the engine or aggressive driving before it has warmed up is a habit that can harm your car. A cold engine isn’t as smooth as a warm one, and revving it before it’s ready adds stress to key parts. It’s best to let the engine warm up a bit before putting it through hard driving, especially in colder weather.

• Driving with low fuel

Driving with a nearly empty tank might seem like a way to save money on petrol, but it can hurt your car. When the tank is low, dirt and debris from the bottom can clog up the fuel filter and injectors. Over time, this can damage the fuel pump. Keep your fuel levels above a quarter tank to protect your engine.

• Neglecting oil changes

Your car’s engine oil helps keep everything moving smoothly and prevents parts from wearing out too quickly. If you leave old oil in the engine for too long, it won’t lubricate correctly, leading to more wear and tear. Ensure you change the oil at the recommended intervals to keep your engine healthy.

• Speeding over potholes

Potholes are a common problem, but hitting them at high speeds can do much damage to your car. It can affect the tyres, rims and suspension, leading to costly repairs. Slow down when you see a pothole. If you can, avoid it to save your car from damage.

• Using cheap parts and fluids

It might be tempting to save money using cheap parts or fluids, but this can cause more harm than good. Low-quality or incompatible parts can affect your car’s performance and increase the chances of breakdowns. Always use parts and fluids made for your specific vehicle to keep everything running correctly.

Prevent unnecessary wear and tear by adjusting your driving habits and vehicle maintenance.

• Information from MIWA