Imagine your car as a loyal companion, constantly ready to hit the road at your beck and call. Yet, like any good relationship, the bond with your vehicle requires care and respect. Unfortunately, many drivers unknowingly engage in habits that silently wreak havoc on their four-wheeled friends. Today, we'll shift gears and steer towards uncovering those seemingly innocent driving habits that are actually bad for your car.

Ignoring the "Warm-Up"

Once upon a time, cars needed a warm-up period to reach optimal performance levels. Modern vehicles have evolved but giving your car a brief moment before demanding full throttle is still beneficial. Jumping directly into high speeds puts immediate strain on the engine. This especially applies to high-horsepower cars. Treat it like a morning stretch; give your vehicle a minute or two to get its "muscles" ready for the journey ahead.

Riding the Brakes Downhill

It's an easy trap to fall into – you're descending a steep incline and you ride the brakes to maintain control. However, this habit generates unnecessary heat and wear on your brake pads and rotors. Instead, downshift to let engine braking reduce your speed naturally without overworking the brake system.

Playing Fuel Tank Roulette

Driving on fumes might seem like an exciting game until you realize it's no fun for your fuel pump. Consistently running your tank low can lead to sediment in fuel being drawn into the system, potentially clogging filters or damaging the pump itself, which resides in the fuel tank and relies on gasoline for both cooling and lubrication.

Heavy Hauling

Are you using your trunk as a storage unit? Overloading your car with excess weight isn't just an invitation for reduced fuel economy; it also places additional stress on critical components like brakes and suspension systems. Shedding that extra weight will help keep these parts from premature wear.

Neglecting Tire Pressure

Your tires are where rubber meets road – literally – and ignoring their pressure is an open invite for trouble. Underinflated tires mean more tire surface area contacts the road, increasing friction, which can lead to overheating and even blowouts. On the flip side, overinflation reduces grip due to less contact area with road surface, which compromises handling of the vehicle, particularly during cornering or braking maneuvers.

Sharp Steering Maneuvers

Aggressive steering doesn't just spook passengers; it strains almost every part of your steering system from tie rods to ball joints. Plus, quick turns wear out tires faster due to increased friction between tire rubber and road surface during aggressive directional changes.

If you want to give your car the care it deserves, give us at Naples Towing & Recovery a call, and we will be glad to help out!