Your vehicle is an investment, and it is important to protect that investment in order to save yourself money over time. Many of us don’t realize it, but there are some habits that some drivers practice every day that are actually hurting their vehicles unintentionally. Here are some things that may be damaging your vehicle that can be avoided:

Don’t forget to use your vehicle parking brake. When you put your car in park, you engage the parking pawl, which is a small metal pin that disengages the transmission’s output. The job of the parking brake is to immobilize the wheels, easing the weight that is put on this small metal pin.

Make sure your tire pressure is always correct. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in your vehicle will let you know when your tires are low on air, however it is always a good idea to check them yourself because the TPMS could be faulty. Low tire pressure actually lowers your fuel efficiency and can put you at risk for tire blowouts.

Don’t drive your vehicle when the tank is nearing empty. Driving your vehicle with an empty tank can actually damage the fuel pump. When gas is nearing empty, the fuel pump can be exposed and begin to overheat. It cools again when the tank is full, but over time, that cycle of cooling and heating can cause damage.

Change your windshield wipers at least twice a year. Failing to change your wiper blades can put your visibility at risk, especially in the rain. Warm weather can actually cause the wipers to dry out and crack, so changing your wipers after the summer and before the spring is the best practice.

Avoid shifting from reverse to drive quickly. Always come to a complete stop before switching gears. If you switch gears before stopping, you are putting a strain on the transmission and drivetrain parts, which can cause damage over time.

We hope that these tips will be helpful to help you protect your vehicle investment and save you money over the years. If you ever need a service or repair, don’t hesitate to give our shop a call or stop by for friendly service!

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