Resting Your Hand on the Gearstick
Be honest with us, folks—do you rest your hand on the gearstick? If so, now's the time to stop. It might seem like a smart idea when driving a manual, but it really isn't! You're putting unnecessary pressure on the inner workings of your transmission. This bad habit causes the selector fork to rub against the rotating shift sleeve, leading to premature wear on your synchronizers. Over time, that casual "rest" can turn into a pricey repair bill that was entirely avoidable. Keep both hands on the wheel unless you are actively shifting; your gearbox and your wallet will certainly thank you for the extra care during your daily commute.
Engine Braking
When you first hear about engine braking, it might sound like a pretty clever trick. Here's how it works—to give your brakes some respite on the road, you use the gearbox to slow the car down. Downshifting will reduce your speed. But please don't do this! While it feels like you are being resourceful, you are actually transferring the friction and heat from your replaceable brake pads directly into your expensive engine and transmission. It is much cheaper to replace a set of rotors than it is to rebuild a gearbox or deal with a blown clutch. Save the aggressive downshifting for the racetrack and stick to using your middle pedal for its intended purpose during your everyday drive.
Overloading Your Car
Nowadays, cars are more than capable of carrying heavy loads. But should you make a habit of overloading them? Probably not! Bulky vehicles still have limits. If you push them too far, you can hurt the suspension system, the drivetrain, and the brakes. It doesn't end there, either.
Your fuel economy takes a big hit here as well. The added weight causes the engine to work harder, so you burn more gas as a result. That's not cool, guys.
Accelerating in a High Gear
What's the harm in accelerating at a high gear? It isn't a disastrous decision, right? Right?! Well, we hate to break it to you. This habit is pretty dang bad. Remember — your engine has a lower RPM in higher gears. Acceleration at that point only hurts it.
By pushing the engine, you're putting unnecessary strain on its components. It'll eventually lead to premature wear and tear, meaning a future trip to the mechanic is almost certain.
Shifting Between Drive and Reverse Before Stopping
Similar to engine braking, this habit might also seem like a clever way to ease the workload on your brakes. Instead of hitting the pedal in an automatic, you shift between drive and reverse to slow down. Now, to call this a bad idea feels like an understatement.
This kind of shifting doesn't do your transmission any good at all. And it will hit your pockets in the end. Automatics are very expensive to fix when something goes wrong.
Ignoring Dashboard Warning Lights
What's the harm in ignoring a dashboard warning light? You should be okay until you reach your destination, right? Right? Wrong! You've got to remember, folks — those lights are there for a reason. So familiarizing yourself with the various symbols isn't the worst idea before taking to the road.
Some of the more serious warnings to watch out for on your dashboard include the ABS light, power steering failure, and the engine light. You shouldn't dismiss the oil pressure symbol, either.
Riding the Clutch
We won't beat around the bush here. Riding the clutch is a horrible habit to pick up. It happens when motorists don't take their foot off the pedal after changing gear. If you're constantly doing that, it can cause massive damage to the plate.
Over time, the clutch will become less effective due to needless wear and tear. So you'll have to replace it before long. It isn't the cheapest of jobs, either. Bummer!
Revving a Cold Engine
Warming up your car's engine is absolutely crucial before taking to the road — especially during the winter months. It allows the oil to heat up and circulate under the hood. But do you know what doesn't help a cold engine? Revving.
Yep, excessive revving will hurt a sleepy engine in the long-run, causing unnecessary wear and tear. It's a habit that you shouldn't fall into, folks! And that goes for our next entry as well...
Late Braking
There may come a time when sudden braking is an absolute must. Should you make a habit of it, though? Nope! Consistent late braking is a sure-fire way to ruin the entire system. From the discs to the pads, every inch of it will feel the strain.
And the issues don't end there. Late braking also burns through fuel, so you'll be visiting the gas station on a more frequent basis. Your wallet won't like that!
Running Low on Gas
Sometimes, it can be all too easy to ignore the fuel gauge on your dashboard. It's close to empty? Pah! What's the harm in holding off for a few more miles? Well, you'd be surprised! You can actually cause quite a bit of damage here.
When fuel tanks are running low on gas, the sediment from the bottom can get pulled into the injectors and filters, clogging them up in the process. Oof. That's not good, folks.
Sudden Gear Changes
As you continue to drive a manual, you'll become more familiar with the gearbox and the stick, understanding when you need to change gears. It should be pretty smooth! Yet some drivers still make a bit of a mess of it.
Shifting gears at the wrong time doesn't do the transmission much good, as a sudden change puts it under huge strain. It can also hurt the clutch. So be careful, guys. Please!
Hitting Potholes
We're just going to come out and say it — potholes suck! Not only are they hard to avoid, but they're tough to spot at times, too. Having said that, if you're on a familiar road that isn't in the best condition, it's wise to take it slow.
That way, you can lessen the impact from hitting a pothole or two. It'll give your wheels, alloys, suspension, and tires a much-needed reprieve.
Flying Over Speed Bumps
Is it a smart idea to fly over speed bumps on the road? Absolutely not. It's a really bad habit that some folks continue to fall into. Hitting these bumps at high speeds will hurt your car, especially if it rides low to the ground.
We're talking damage to the undercarriage, dented bumpers — stuff like that. The vehicle's alignment can be badly affected here as well, so ease off the accelerator.
Ignoring the Parking Brake
Here's a question for you, folks — how often do you use your parking brake? Every now and again? Or not at all? Well, we'll be blunt. You've got to use that thing all the time! Shifting your transmission into "park" isn't enough.
Although it stops the car from rolling, it's not designed to lock the wheels in place like the parking brake. As such, you can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle by ignoring it.
Riding the Brakes
Much like with the clutch, some drivers develop a habit of riding the brakes as well. And it's just as bad! You should never keep your foot on the brake pedal for longer than you need to on the road.
By riding the brakes, you run the risk of overheating the car's braking system. When that happens, the stopping power isn't as effective, making your life harder as a result. Yikes.
Not Checking Your Tires
Do you consistently check your tires before taking the car out? No? Well, now's the time to shake off that particular habit! You've got to stay on top of this, folks. Underinflated tires will hurt you before long.
Low pressure causes the tread to wear out quicker, which is bad news for your vehicle's grip. And overinflated tires? They're not much better, in truth! They can easily blowout on the road.
Letting Fluid Run Low
Is it smart to let certain fluids run low in your car? No way! This is another habit that's worth breaking, guys. You could save yourself a lot of hassle. For instance, if your oil's nearing its end, the engine can start to seize up.
And how about windshield wash? What happens when that runs low? Simple — there's a good chance that the wipers will scratch the glass due to dirt and debris.
Using a Heavy Keychain
Raise your hand if you're a fan of decorative keychains. Don't be shy! They can be pretty cool. But some are known for being a little too heavy. And that's not good news for a car's long-term health.
How come? Well, heavy keychains put unnecessary strain on the ignition cylinder, damaging it over time. And fixing that doesn't come cheap, folks. So keep your keys as light as possible.
Washing the Car With Dish Soap
Washing your car with dish soap might sound like a pretty clever hack. Why spend money on specialized cleaning products when you've got that stuff in the kitchen, right? Well, we're going to be honest — it's a horrible idea!
As dish soap isn't designed to clean vehicles, you can cause untold damage to the paint job and other important components. The repair bill won't be kind here.
Short Trips
As we mentioned earlier, revving cold engines is a really bad habit. And here's another one that doesn't help your car's health — going out on short journeys. It might save you a walk down the block, but there's a good chance it'll hit your wallet in the future.
By taking shorter trips, you're not allowing the oil to heat up to its preferred temperature. Long-term, that won't do your engine any good.