45 Things You Could Be Doing On A Daily Basis That Damage Your Car

Cars are a big investment, and we want them to last as long as possible. But did you know there are simple things we do every day that could be damaging our car? Proper vehicle maintenance requires that we pay special attention to what we could potentially be doing wrong. If we correct these small habits, we can avoid expensive visits to the repair shop and possible accidents. It is also key that we take our car to the annual check-up at the authorized service center. This will increase the lifespan of our vehicle and guarantee our safety. Here are 30 common things that we unintentionally do that actually damage our cars. How many of these have you done?

Jumping Starter Solenoid with a Screwdriver

Jumping a starter solenoid with a screwdriver, a handy trick for starting a car with ignition troubles, carries significant risks. This method, which involves bridging the solenoid’s terminals with a screwdriver, can cause electrical shorts or surges, potentially damaging the vehicle’s sensitive electronics, including the ECU (Engine Control Unit). Moreover, this approach might overheat the battery or shorten its lifespan due to excessive current flow.

Besides the risk to the vehicle, there’s also a personal safety concern, as the process can produce sparks and pose a risk of electrical shock. It’s a temporary solution that should be used with caution and understanding of the potential consequences.

Using Water Instead of Coolant

Sometimes, people mix in tap or bottled water when they’re running out of coolant in the radiator. While it can save you time and money at that moment, make sure you do it right.

Do not put water alone in the radiator because high temperatures inside the motor would easily boil that water, causing the engine to overheat and melt.

Not Letting The Engine Cool Off

In the case of turbocharged cars, it’s crucial that after a long drive, you start driving at a low RPM for a couple of minutes before shutting off the engine. This will help the turbocharged engine to properly cool off.

Allowing it some time to lower the engine’s temperature will increase the lifespan of your car in the long run.

Hard Steering

Hard steering, characterized by making sharp turns at high speeds, can significantly damage your vehicle over time. This aggressive maneuvering places undue stress on your car’s tires, causing uneven wear and potentially leading to premature tire failure. Furthermore, it exerts excessive force on the suspension system, including shocks, struts, and springs, accelerating their wear and degrading the car’s handling and ride quality.

The steering system, including the power steering pump, rack, and pinion, also suffers, leading to decreased steering responsiveness and an increased need for costly repairs. Additionally, hard steering can heighten the risk of rollover accidents in SUVs and taller vehicles, posing a safety risk to passengers.