5 ways you’re ruining your ride

Posted 6 September, 2017 Lauren Reid

When it comes to our cars, we’ve all cut a few corners here and there – whether it’s for convenience, cost or a seemingly new ‘life hack’. We take a look at eight shortcuts that could actually be damaging your car.  

Driving a dirty car

Bugs on the windscreen, bird droppings, tree sap, dust and chemicals are an inevitability of driving a car, and doesn’t it feel as though a spec of dirt appears mere minutes after you’ve washed it? All the same, keeping your car clean is important to maintain the quality of the paint – in fact, leaving it for too long could cause damage to the extent that it requires the paintwork to be sanded back and resprayed. And that means lots of dollars! Our tip? Spot-clean as soon as possible, and give your vehicle a good once-over regularly. This is even more important if your car is parked in an industrial area where acidic properties may be in the air and land on your car, also stripping the paint.  

Incorrect tyre inflation

Your tyres are all that’s keeping you from the road and that makes them an important safety feature. Therefore, you should always make sure they’re in good nick. An under-inflated tyre can cause the car to pull to one side, affecting your steering, stability and drag. This means it’ll take the car longer to stop and also increase fuel consumption. Over-inflated tyres can equally lead to uneven tread, a blow-out or reduced traction. Check the specification for your car and keep the tyre pressure to your manufacturer’s recommendation.  

Choosing the wrong engine oil

Much like coolant, not all engine oil is created equal; and it’s your car that dictates what works and what doesn’t. Engine oil is a lubricant that reduces wear on moving parts, so using one that’s not right for your car can lead to excessive friction and premature engine failure. The thickness of the oil when it’s cold and hot is what matters to ensure parts keep moving freely, and your owner’s manual will outline the requirements for your car. Make sure you always check the bottle and use the one recommended.  

Stretching service intervals

When life gets in the way, it’s easy to push recommended servicing intervals out a bit – what’s a few months here or a couple thousand kilometres there, right? In reality, manufacturer-recommended intervals are already set at the outer limits, so stretching them out could end up being costly. Over time, engine oil becomes less efficient at protecting components, brakes wear down and filters degenerate. And while they seem like small pieces of the puzzle, they can cause engine failure, diminish safety and reduce fuel efficiency. Plus, if your car’s still under warranty and you’ve skipped or delayed services that end up causing problems, you may not be eligible to claim on the warranty.  

Parking on damp lawn

As well as not being too good for the lawn in your garden, continually parking a car on damp grass can cause moisture to get into electrical components in the vehicle, leading to corrosion and damaging performance. Harmful condensation can also occur when the vehicle has just been used, as the warm engine moisture comes to rise and condense on the underside of the bonnet.