Five Ways You Could Be Killing Your Car
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5 Ways You May Be Killing Your Car
Most people take their cars for granted, expecting that when they turn the ignition key the car will start and they will be able to go on their way. But there may come a day when you find your car just won’t start. When this day comes, get ready for potentially high repair bills.
However, you can avoid these problems by simply maintaining your car properly and avoiding behaviors that could be harming your vehicle. Remember that the best way to stay healthy is to prevent health issues from developing. The same principle applies to your car. Here are five ways that you may be unknowingly harming your car.
1. Disregarding the Check Engine Light
When you see this light on your dashboard, do not ignore it! It is alerting you that there is something you need to have replaced. This could be your spark plugs, oxygen sensor, mass airflow sensor, or catalytic converter. Alternately, it may be telling you that your gas cap is missing, loose, or damaged. If you don’t address these problems promptly, it can affect your car’s performance or fuel economy and, over time, cause serious engine trouble.
2. Not Changing Your Oil Regularly
Unless you’re a conscientious car owner, you probably don’t follow the schedule for oil changes in your owner’s manual. Changing the oil periodically is one of the simplest things you can do to avoid killing your car. Oil acts as a lubricant in your engine, reducing the friction between moving parts. If you don’t change the oil, eventually it will wear out and lose its effectiveness. This can cause friction in the engine parts and result in major problems over time.
How often should you change your oil? Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines or change it at least every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
3. Having Bad Driving Habits
Abusing your car is the surest way for it to develop serious problems. For instance, if you drive through a corner too quickly, you put unnecessary strain on parts such as the suspension, brakes, and steering. Another bad driving habit is braking too abruptly at red lights, which can wear down your brake pads more quickly and increase the risk of more serious problems down the line. Driving more carefully and responsibly can help keep your car in good running order for a longer time.
4. Not Taking Care of Your Car
If you don’t wash your car regularly, the buildup of dirt and chemicals can increase the risk of the body rusting. But more seriously, if you don’t take your car for regular maintenance and checkups, there is a significant risk that it will develop serious issues sooner rather than later. One simple thing you can do is simply to listen to your car – if you hear anything out of the ordinary, you should probably have it checked.
5. Not Performing Regular Maintenance Tasks
You should ensure that:
- Your tires are inflated to the right level.
- You check your filters and fluid levels regularly.
- You change them as necessary.
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