Without your vehicle you will be unable to travel from point A to point B. This makes you totally dependent on it.
It is also one of your most costly possessions and you need to do everything in your power to make it last as long as possible. Even if you do have proper maintenance measures in place, you may overlook other day-to-day responsibilities that can have a negative impact on the life of your car.
It is well-known that the way you drive your vehicle directly impacts on the wear-and-tear it is subjected to, and on the longevity of its parts.
Sudden stops and take-offs are very bad for your car. Regularly stomping on the brakes or gas pedal has a huge impact on fuel consumption, and may contribute to the deterioration of parts like the rotors and brake pads.
In cars with manual transmissions, riding the clutch can cause huge damage. The unnecessary use of the clutch when its not time to brake or change gears can destroy the hydraulic system. Unnecessary friction of the plates on the flywheel will wear the system down and set you up for sudden clutch failure in the future.
Starting your car and letting it idle a few minutes before leaving the house on a cold morning is not wrong, but revving the engine right from the start is a bad idea. This action causes a sudden temperature change which can actually harm your car as it forces the engine to work under pressure before the oil has had a chance to fully circulate.
When parking on an incline, use your parking/hand brake, even if you think it is not necessary. Not using the parking brake puts a lot of pressure on the transmission, which only has a small pin – the size of your pinkie – keeping the whole weight of the car in place.
If you follow the above steps, you will ensure your car continues to look and work as good as it would if it was new. Your car – and your wallet – will thank you for it.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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