April is National Car Care Month, so it's a great time to think about how you're treating your vehicle. You may love your car, feel like a boss driving it around and think it's the most gosh darn stylish thing in the world, but if you switch gears without braking or just pretending that "Check Engine" light doesn't exist, then you're actually doing some serious damage to that car you supposedly care for so much.
In every relationship, there's little things that each person does that irritate the other. Does it drive you mad when your wife chews with her mouth open? Well she probably hates how you leave the cap off the toothpaste. Likewise, there are little things you can do that can really tick off your car.
Read through this list to make sure you don't have any of these damaging habits – and if you do, consider it the perfect time to change your ways and renew your relationship with your ride on the right foot.
1. Slow jam
As you roll down a steep hill you accelerate, so it's only natural that you feel inclined to keep you foot pressed down on the brake the whole time. However, Ridelust noted that this is a very common mistake that can damage your car in the long run. Every time you hit the brake, the brake pads heat up, and keeping the brake engaged for even the 30 seconds it takes to get down a big hill can make the pads sufficiently toasty and as a result wears them out faster. Instead, alternate between braking and coasting – your car will thank you.
2. What's an e-brake?
If you're asking yourself this, you don't even want to know the irreversible damage you've done to your car. If you've just been lazy about engaging the parking brake, it's time to shape up. Whenever you are parked on a slope – even the slightest of ones – use your emergency brake.
Sure, whoever lives here definitely needs to use his e-brake, but you should actually be using it on all inclines, big or small. Look at your pinky finger. You couldn't possibly lift up your vehicle with your pinky – the results would be gruesome. But your essentially doing this when you don't use the e-brake. As YourMechanic explained, when you don't engage the parking brake, you put all the pressure on the transmission, specifically a little thing called the parking pawl. This parking pawl is just a little pin smaller than your pinky finger, so make sure you always hit that e-brake.
3. Un-brake-able
If you haven't noticed yet, a lot of these mistakes have to do with the brakes. If you reverse your vehicle and then switch into gears while you're still moving backward, you're really hurting your car. It's okay, everyone's been there, because sometimes you're just in a hurry and can't be bothered to fully brake before switching gears. But try to cut this habit, okay? Every time you switch without stopping, you strip the gears of your transmission, according to Odometer. This damage adds up, and eventually you won't be able to actually switch gears because the bands and gears have all been worn away.
Just because you pretend not to see that "Check Oil" light doesn't mean there's not a problem. 4. This light has a purpose
That little light that always seems to be lit up on your dash board? It's says "Check Oil," not "Ignore Me Indefinitely It's Fine," and is getting real tired of not being heard. You actually do have to change your oil from time to time, it's not just a way for auto manufacturers to bother you. RideLust recommended changing your oil every 5,000 miles at the most. The site also noted that by the time the light comes on, it's actually too late, and the oil in your engine has already gone to goop. So stay on top of things by taking your car to NJ Auto Auction, where our mechanics can change your oil and make sure your car is in top shape.