It is easy to get into bad habits when driving. Quite often we are not even aware we are doing these things. Below, are some Do’s and Don’ts listed which should help. Plus save possible expensive bills and repairs.
Riding The Clutch
A very common habit many people do without realising is riding the clutch. That is resting your foot on the clutch pedal. Even with the slightest bit of pressure, this can cause some premature wear over time.
Clutches are very rarely covered by warranty either, as they are considered a wear and tear item – as are tyres and brakes.
It is important that you take your foot off the clutch pedal when you are not changing gear. Place it either on the floor of the footwell – or on the clutch footrest which is normally to the left of the clutch pedal.
Braking Late
Braking late is another bad habit that a lot of drivers are guilty of. We live in a time when people want to get to and from places quickly, and braking late has become a by-product of this.
Doing so will result in your brakes wearing out more quickly. Not only that, you will be using a lot more fuel to get back up to speed. If you are slow and steady with your braking, watching the road ahead, then you will not need to press the pedal as hard, resulting in longer-lasting brakes.
Ignoring Warning Lights
Warning lights are on there on the dashboard to inform you if there is a potential issue/problem with your car. Some of these may need to be addressed quickly – usually, these lights appear in red.
Other warning lights will appear in yellow/orange and may not be as much of an issue, but still require attention as soon as possible. One of the most common orange lights is the ‘Check Engine’ Light.
Either way, regardless of the warning light colour, you must pay attention to them because ignoring these lights could result in some serious – and expensive – issues. Call Tivoli Auto Services if in doubt.
Hitting Bumps & Potholes
The UK is covered in potholes and sometimes it is difficult to miss them. However, it is best to try to avoid them wherever possible because if you always drive over them it can lead to damaging many components of your car. This includes the wheels, tyres and suspension.
It is a similar story with speed bumps. However, these you can’t avoid so be sure to drive over them slowly!
To find out more about potholes, how they are formed, and how they can damage your car, view our full blog post on the subject here
The summer of 2021 saw the worst potholes in 15 years according to RAC statistics. To find out more, click here
Tivoli Auto Services
We are an independent garage based in Hastings. If you have any issues with your car- or are unsure if you have any damage due to your driving habits – bring your car down to us, and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help. Prolonging any potential issues could lead to further or worse problems, so give us a call beforehand if you have any immediate enquiries.
Contact us today on 01424 442277 to get your car booked in. We are here to give any advice to help you get the most out of your vehicle.
