19 bad driving habits to break in 2019

 

19. Ignoring dash lights

How many times have you ignored that tiny symbol that looks like a genie bottle or the scary exclamation point that randomly pops up on the dash? This could be a potentially costly habit. That’s why it’s time to pay more attention to your dashboard lights as it could save you money in repairs later on in the year. To help, here’s a list of common dash lights you should know.

 

18. Leaving children or pets in the car

We get a lot of calls from members who’ve accidentally locked their child and beloved pets in a vehicle. Even on a mild day, temperatures can soar in a vehicle. Try putting your mobile phone and bag next to the child seat or your pet, so you’re less likely to forget about them.

 

17. Doing a runner in a car park

Accidentally scratched the car parked next to yours? Do the right thing and ‘fess up’. Kudos to the 86% of respondents in a recent RAA Facebook poll who said they’d leave a note in these situations.

 

16. Not checking your tyre pressure

Under-inflated tyres can affect your car’s steering and make you chew through more fuel, so make an effort to regularly check that your tyre pressure is to the manufacturer’s recommendation. You can find this in your owner’s manual or on a placard in the driver’s side door frame.  

15. Avoiding the repairers

Just as you should see a doctor for check-ups, try sticking to regular car services to keep your ride in good nick this year.

 

14. Driving too often

Give your car a much-needed break – carpool with colleagues or catch public transport to give your cars the ‘day off’ by not driving and, in turn, help the environment.

 

13. Driving on empty

If your car’s been well-maintained, driving low on fuel is unlikely to cause any damage. You might, however, experience some problems if it’s an older car. Just to be safe, our experts recommend filling up whenever fuel is cheap, preferably before your tank reaches the quarter mark.