Neglect and mistreatment will accelerate your vehicle's deterioration.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car's lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.


1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car's longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner's manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it's peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights

When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it's important to address the problem immediately. If you don't know what the light means, check your owner's manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it's important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This "jerky" shifting places excess strain on the transmission's internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving

We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won't destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement

Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you're driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.


CULLED FROM: http://autos.aol.com/article/driving-habits-car-care/

I was guilty of Number 3 back in the days as a young driver.

I was guilty of No 1 (cause of monika ) and sometimes No 4 I never knew now
Sorry jare my car.

mehn, still guilty of driving our car hard, wah's the need of having a turbo engine if u dnt push it??

egesie:
mehn, still guilty of driving our car hard, wah's the need of having a turbo engine if u dnt push it??

"OYO" is your case then...

rodeo0070:

"OYO" is your case then...

I've repented o

1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car's longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner's manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it's peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.



3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it's important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This "jerky" shifting places excess strain on the transmission's internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

Very good information no doubt, Thanks a lot!

Now my question is, how often/long is one expected to service/maintain a car's transmission oil. what's the duration please?

starlingbawa:

1. Delaying regular maintenance
Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car's longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner's manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it's peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.
3. Shifting while moving
The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it's important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This "jerky" shifting places excess strain on the transmission's internal gears and can instantly destroy it.
Very good information no doubt, Thanks a lot!
Now my question is, how often/long is one expected to service/maintain a car's transmission oil. what's the duration please?

Check you owner manuals for the services required.

poca4real:


Check you owner manuals for the services required.

Nice!

starlingbawa:


1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car's longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner's manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it's peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.



3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it's important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This "jerky" shifting places excess strain on the transmission's internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

Very good information no doubt, Thanks a lot!

Now my question is, how often/long is one expected to service/maintain a car's transmission oil. what's the duration please?

Once a year is ok and make sure you use only recommend oil all problems can creep up.

Seeking service from a stranger. Having unqualified technicians work on your car often ends up being an enormous drain on your wallet. “Though you may think you’re paying a little less, this often backfires,”. “Untrained professionals make your vehicles issues a matter of trial and error, guessing which parts need to be replaced to fix that funny noise and potentially causing new problems.”

Rather than taking the chance, dedicate the same amount of time and research you did in choosing your new car when finding the person who will help repair and maintain it.

AutosBay:
Seeking service from a stranger. Having unqualified technicians work on your car often ends up being an enormous drain on your wallet. “Though you may think you’re paying a little less, this often backfires,”. “Untrained professionals make your vehicles issues a matter of trial and error, guessing which parts need to be replaced to fix that funny noise and potentially causing new problems.”

Rather than taking the chance, dedicate the same amount of time and research you did in choosing your new car when finding the person who will help repair and maintain it.

True talk!

5 Habits That Ruin Your Car

Dirt can hurt. Salt and sand in the winter, and even bird poop can wear away at your car’s finish. Try to wash your car (inside and out) every two weeks and get a full detail job done four times a year.
Adding and customizing your car. Adding things to your vehicle, especially anything that takes away from the car insurance new jerseyvehicle’s safety can reduce the amount of people later interested in buying it.
Hitting the road running with your new car. The dealership won’t hand over a guide to breaking in your new vehicle, but the truth is that going easy on the gas and break at first will help your car in the long run.
Not keep your records. This can help prove the work that has been done and the condition of your vehicle when you sell it. This is especially true if you end up doing a private sale.
Non-reliable service from strangers which may save you money at first, but eventually you may end up paying even more.