With fuel prices (although this summer they have given a truce), who more or less tries to apply efficient driving techniques (even if poorly executed, you can end up damaging the car). But there are other ways to save with the car.
Today we bring a series of recommendations that will help your vehicle last longer and suffer fewer breakdowns. These are ten simple tricks, very easy to apply. You only have to pay attention to some details, the reading of which will not take more than two minutes. Do you dare to put them into practice?
Never
1. Park by raising the wheel to the curbs
When you act like this, you mistreat wheels and suspensions. From there the tires will wear out sooner. It compensates for parking even using two manoeuvres.
2. Speed bumps without slowing down
In addition to being able to hit the underbody or the bumper, the shock absorbers suffer and that affects safety and the pocket. With shock absorbers in poor condition, the tires will also last less. This way you will know if your damping begins to fail.
3. Rev the engine if it is still cold
Cars, like people, need to warm up before making a physical effort. If your car has not yet caught the right temperature, do not raise the revolutions abruptly. In the morning when you start the engine, keep it idling (never accelerate) before starting, as this wears out all the internal mechanical parts very quickly. This will make sure that the lubricant has reached the right temperature and has reached all parts of the engine. Review our tips to start your car cold.
Be careful especially in winter, especially your car sleeps on the street. In this sense, these tips on how to prepare your car for the cold can also be very useful.
4. Put in neutral and stop the car with brakes only
With a car in neutral, fuel is not saved (it is not even interesting to move without having engaged a gear, to spend less). When you don’t use the engine brake, in addition, the pads and discs will last much less. There are more tricks to keep the brakes in good condition and in this sense, our tips on how to go up and down a mountain pass efficiently and safely can also help you.
5. Put your left foot on the clutch
Carrying the left foot resting on the clutch is a bad habit. The mechanism works (even if it’s very little, and you think it doesn’t). The parts wear out and they can take your car to the workshop ahead of time. Do not do it even when you are waiting standing at a stop or a traffic light, to leave before.
Always
6. Perform regular maintenance
It is essential that you maintain your vehicle on a regular basis. Always pass the revisions stipulated by the manufacturer. It is not necessary that you go to an official workshop if you do not want to (review the ten keys to choose a good workshop and the differences between choosing an official or independent workshop. Usually you should pass them every year or 15,000-20,000 km or every 2 years or 30,000 km If you have doubts, you can consult the manual of your car to inform you.
For some time now we have been talking about the ten keys to car maintenance, which we now summarize in these points:
– Change the oil when indicated by the manufacturer. Always use synthetic or semi-synthetic lubricants, preferably, as we tell you in how to choose the best oil for your car. It is key that, from time to time, you check the level yourself, in case there are leaks. This way you will avoid serious mechanical problems in the future.
– Do not forget to frequently check the level of others liquidsAs the refrigerant or the one of the brakes.
– Check the state of the air filter, a fundamental element, since it is the part through which your car breathes and changing it will not cost you more than 20 euros. Try to clean the inside of the filter location with a cloth because that is where dust, dry leaves, insects usually accumulate… Keep in mind that if a lot of dirt enters the intake manifold, it could affect the cylinders, scratching them and causing the engine loses performance and consumes excess oil.
– Many cars nowadays end up in the scrapyard due to problems or breaks with the Timing belt. Changing it is not cheap (about 300 euros at least) although it is necessary and it will avoid you
– A incorrect tire pressure They can cause three things: insecurity, that the tire lasts less, and that it increases the consumption of your car by up to 10%. Learn to wear them with the correct pressure.
– Many people only remember the battery when the car does not start, but it is a fundamental element for the electrical system of the car. If you keep the terminals greased with a little Vaseline or oil, you will increase its duration by up to 25% and prevent it from sulphating. If you want to know more about how to avoid battery problems in winter, you can consult this old article.
7. Refuel the right fuel
It is not nonsense because, in fact, it is one of the most recurring breakdowns in Spain. If it happens, try to empty the tank or call the tow truck and take it to the workshop. You can spoil the entire injection system by driving a few kilometers.
8. Keep a safe distance
For two reasons. the first by security and the second is to have more possibilities of a stone jumping and breaking your windshield. A person without all-risk insurance and with third-party insurance that does not cover the windows tells you. You will lose money… and time. You can find out what type of insurance compensates you the most here.
9. Wash the car correctly
If you don’t wash the car, especially after a long trip, say goodbye to the tone of that metallic paint that you had so much trouble choosing. You may also have rust problems on the underbody (especially after driving on dirt tracks). Learn how to properly wash your car.
Now facing winter, the salt that is scattered on the roads is one of the main elements that cause corrosion in your car. Therefore, it is convenient to wash it from time to time and apply pressurized water to the bottom to clean it well. Every time you wash the car, check the state of the radiators to check that there are no leaks or elements that hinder them.
10. Empty the trunk if you don’t need what’s inside
The more weight you carry in your car, the more effort the engine will have to exert (especially if it is underpowered). You will also wear out more shock absorbers and tires. And when you have to load the trunk, do it right for safety.
[NOTA: Artículo publicado originalmente el 15 de enero de 2012, corregido y ampliado]
Sources: Autoconsultorio, Autobild, Autofácil
