Most people know basic maintenance tasks like oil changes, using the correct fuel, and avoiding collisions whenever possible. However, several lesser-known habits can unknowingly harm your vehicle. These inconspicuous actions can lead to poor performance, premature breakdowns, and decreased resale value. Let’s explore some standard practices on American highways that have detrimental effects on cars, shedding light on the subtle ways drivers inadvertently damage their vehicles.
Taking Action on the Check Engine Light
The sight of the check engine light can be unsettling, leading many drivers to ignore it if their car’s performance seems unaffected. However, the check engine light serves a vital purpose: signaling potential mechanical failures or significant issues with the vehicle. While it could be a minor computer or electrical glitch, it’s crucial not to dismiss it. When the check engine light illuminates, it’s advisable to promptly contact your mechanic to diagnose and address any underlying problems. Ignoring this warning light may result in further damage to your car and potentially more expensive repairs.
Acknowledging Other Dashboard Symbols
While the check engine light is a significant concern, paying attention to other standard warning lights on your car’s dashboard is essential. These symbols inform you about system issues, such as traction control, airbags, and automatic shift start. Additional crucial indicators include the oil pressure light, tire pressure warning light, engine temperature warning light, and the ever-dreaded low fuel indicator. Paying attention to these warning lights and promptly addressing any underlying problems can help prevent potential safety risks and avoid more damage to your vehicle.
Keeping Your Car Food-Free
While occasional snacking in the car is understandable, making it a regular habit can lead to a buildup of unsightly mess. Dropping salt, grease, crumbs, seeds, and spills contribute to a layer of difficult-to-clean grime on your seats, mats, carpeting, and upholstery. Over time, this accumulation becomes resistant to thorough cleanings. To maintain a clean and hygienic car interior, it’s best to minimize eating in the car and encourage passengers to do the same, preventing the buildup of stubborn stains and dirt.
Approaching Speed Bumps and Potholes with Caution
It’s crucial to approach speed bumps at a slow and consistent speed and, ideally, avoid driving over potholes altogether. Neglecting these common hazards can result in costly consequences for your tires and suspension. The impact from potholes and speed bumps places immense pressure on the suspension system, causing compression and potential damage. Tire damage is also a common occurrence. Additionally, hitting these obstacles at high speeds can lead to misalignment issues. Therefore, taking these road hazards seriously and exercising caution to minimize potential damage is essential.
The Dangers of Low Fuel Levels
Running on a near-empty fuel tank induces anxiety and poses risks to your vehicle, particularly the fuel pump. The fuel pump inside the gas tank relies on submersion to function effectively. This is only possible when the tank is at least one-quarter full. An exposed fuel pump can increase temperatures as it pulls in air and become clogged by sediment commonly found at the bottom of gas tanks. Maintaining an adequate fuel level is crucial to ensure the proper functioning and longevity of the fuel pump.
Avoid Overfilling Your Tank
At the gas station, the automatic shutoff mechanism clicks off when your tank is full, preventing any additional gas from being added. Topping off the tank by squeezing the nozzle a few extra times was once a common practice to avoid loose change, but it’s always been a bad idea and still is. This excess fuel doesn’t go into the gas tank but into the evaporation canister, which contains fuel vapor. Constantly flooding it with gas from overfilling can lead to failure, compromising safety and environmental features.
The Importance of Tire Pressure
Maintaining proper tire inflation is crucial for optimal vehicle performance. Each car has a manual specifying the correct tire pressure. Falling below this recommended level can negatively impact braking and steering response. Underinflated tires are prone to premature wear on the sides and increased sidewall flex, resulting in dangerous heat buildup and potential blowouts. Conversely, overinflated tires are susceptible to uneven wear at the center, making them more prone to sidewall damage and bubbles caused by curb impacts. Regularly checking and maintaining the correct tire pressure is essential for safety and longevity.
And the Importance of Proper Tires
In most climates, a reliable set of all-weather tires is sufficient for year-round traction and performance, even in snowy conditions. While some extreme environments necessitate snow tires during the coldest periods, driving on them throughout the year diminishes performance and accelerates tread wear. Additionally, adhering to the tire size specified in your car’s manual is crucial. Using tires that are too big, too small, too tall, too thin, or too wide poses significant risks, including an increased likelihood of rollovers and other potential hazards, jeopardizing the safety of both drivers and passengers.
Choosing Qualified Mechanics
When faced with car troubles, it’s common to receive offers from friends or acquaintances who claim to be skilled in car repairs. However, entrusting your vehicle to uncertified individuals rarely leads to long-term cost savings. Opting for professionals who hold certifications like the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) ensures that your car is handled by experts who undergo continuing education, stay updated on advancements in technology and techniques, and are dedicated to maintaining their reputations and careers in the automotive industry. Prioritizing qualified mechanics guarantees quality service and peace of mind.
Clean and Gleaming
Regular car washes are more than just about appearances; they are crucial in preserving your vehicle’s lifespan and resale value. Accumulated grime, especially during winter with corrosive road treatments, can corrode the paintwork. Modern car washes incorporate protective coatings that shield the underlying metal from elemental damage. However, a breach in this coating can invite water infiltration, leading to rust formation. Once rust sets in, it gradually spreads and significantly threatens your vehicle’s health.
Addressing Windshield Cracks Promptly
Consider windshield cracks, as they detract from the appearance and pose safety risks. Small cracks tend to expand quickly, potentially leading to a total windshield replacement. These cracks can obstruct your vision, severely compromise roof support, and impact airbag functionality. It’s crucial to have cracks patched early to prevent further damage and ensure your safety on the road.
The Benefits of Covered Parking
It’s advisable to park your car under cover whenever possible, even if it’s not a fully enclosed garage. Elements like wind, rain, snow, temperature fluctuations, and intense UV rays from the sun can gradually deteriorate every exposed surface. By parking under cover, your vehicle avoids these hazards and potential damage from bird droppings, falling branches, and debris. If you lack a garage or carport, investing in a car cover is a cost-effective solution that provides protection comparable to a covered parking spot, and it can be obtained for a price less than a gas tank.
Taking Recall Notices Seriously
Automakers issue recalls or are mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to address safety-related defects. Ignoring these notices puts your vehicle at risk. Enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) into the NHTSA recall database to check if your car is affected. It’s crucial to stay updated by regularly checking for any recalls and ensuring prompt action to address any identified issues for the safety and functionality of your vehicle.
Pet-Proofing Your Car
As much as we adore our furry and feathered friends, they can wreak havoc on our vehicles. Scratching, gnawing, drooling, and accidents are common pet behaviors that can damage your car’s interior. Even well-behaved pets contribute to hair, dander, and odors that permeate fabrics and upholstery. However, there are solutions to pet-proof your car, including seat covers and specialized mats, which help protect your vehicle from pet-related damage and keep it clean and fresh.
Combatting a Sedentary Car Lifestyle
As remote work and online shopping become the norm, your car may be spending prolonged periods sitting idle. While this saves fuel and mileage, it can harm your vehicle’s health. Even if you have no immediate need to drive, taking short trips around the block every few weeks helps circulate motor oil and prevent issues. Extended periods of inactivity can lead to flat spots on tires, damage from pests, dried-out belts and hoses, and rust accumulation. Additionally, the battery requires replenishment from the car’s alternator, as prolonged inactivity can cause it to die prematurely.
Investing in a Quality Car Battery
While there are instances where cutting corners can save you money, replacing your car battery is not one of them. When it’s time to install a new battery, it’s essential to opt for a good-quality one, even if it’s a DIY project for many car owners. Cheap batteries often use inferior materials like low-grade cables, wires, and PVC instead of rubber to separate components. Moreover, these inexpensive batteries tend to sweat acid, leading to corrosive reactions that result in toxic buildup on cable ends and, eventually, the cables themselves. It’s worth investing in a reliable and durable battery to avoid future issues.
Protecting Your Rear Windshield
While ammonia-based glass cleaners effectively remove dirt from windows, they can harm your rear windshield. The robust nature of ammonia can degrade the black stripes and their adhesives that make up the mesh grid of your rear defroster. Over time, this degradation can hinder the defroster’s ability to evaporate condensation, impairing visibility. Moreover, ammonia can also cause damage to window tinting and result in drying and cracking of the rubber weather stripping along the edges. To preserve your rear windshield, it’s advisable to avoid using ammonia-based cleaners.
Caring for the Neglected Undercarriage
While pressure washers should generally be avoided for car washing, there is an exception regarding the undercarriage. This often overlooked area, devoid of paint and protection, can benefit from the reach and power of a pressure washer. If you prefer professional car washes, ensure that the undercarriage is included. For DIY enthusiasts, paying particular attention to your vehicle’s unseen parts is crucial. The undercarriage, exposed to grime, oil, salt, and more, requires thorough cleaning using a pressure washer or, at the very least, a hose with a degreasing detergent for optimal care.
The Hazards of Pressure Washing
While it may be tempting to use a powerful pressure washer to remove dirt from your car quickly, it’s a practice that should be avoided. Consumer Reports advises against this approach, as the intense force of the water can cause paint chips and compromise your car’s protective coating, leaving it vulnerable to rust formation. Instead, opting for a traditional soap, bucket, sponge, and garden hose method is a safer and more effective way to keep your vehicle clean.
Protecting Your Vehicle
While many drivers are familiar with essential maintenance tasks, it’s crucial to remember the lesser-known habits that can negatively impact your vehicle. Avoiding these seemingly innocuous actions can safeguard your car’s performance, longevity, and resale value. By shedding light on the standard practices on American highways that inadvertently harm vehicles, we can empower drivers to make informed choices and protect their valuable investments. By prioritizing proper maintenance and adopting safe driving practices, you can ensure your vehicle stays in optimal condition for years.
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