The more driving habits you develop, the longer you own a car. Sadly, not all of those practices are beneficial. Furthermore, it is tougher to break them as you gain experience.

7. Resting your hand on the gear stick

When driving, a lot of people have the tendency to rest their hand on the gear stick. For various reasons—the most obvious being that you need both hands to steer—this should not be done. Another negative outcome is that the gearbox becomes like a cocktail shaker due to the slight but continual pressure applied to it, shattering synchronizers and gears. Trouble changing gears results from this, in turn.

6. Refueling only when the tank is almost empty

Mechanical impurities build up in the gasoline tank, and sludge develops at the bottom of your car while it is not in use. The harm is caused when the dirt enters the fuel pump and filters. Always keep the tank at least halfway full of fuel during the winter to prevent the buildup of significant amounts of condensate. Water in the gasoline tank during cold temperatures might cause distortion and other issues.

5. Frequent braking

“Keep a safe distance and join the flow of traffic.” In driving schools, they instruct you on this. However, if you continue to brake excessively, you’d better budget a sizeable sum for routine brake pad and disc replacements. Remember to swiftly replace the brake hoses and keep an eye on the brake fluid level to prevent unpleasant accidents.

4. Ignoring suspicious sounds

Small creaking noises and other odd noises may be signs of a malfunction. Many motorists have a tendency to disregard these warnings, which leads to frequent vehicle breakdowns in the middle of the road. Run the required diagnostics if your automobile starts making strange noises to pinpoint the issue and address it quickly.

3. Neglecting to use the hand brake

The lock gear of the output shaft of the gearbox bears the entire load when parking an automatic transmission vehicle on an incline. Holding the foot brake and shifting into “park” can allow you to park on an uphill with ease. Pull the hand brake next, and only then let off the brake gradually.

2. Running a cold engine at high revs

Modern engines don’t typically require warming up. However, it is important to keep in mind that one shouldn’t run the engine at more than 2,000 revs until the indicator indicates operating temperature. It is advised to keep the engine running for 1-2 minutes in freezing weather before pulling away.

1. Keeping your foot on the brake while driving downhill

When going downhill, many drivers keep their foot on the brake pedal, so they are always prepared to brake. As a result, the brake system overheats, and the brake pads and discs deteriorate. The correct action is to downshift and start the engine braking.