• Home
  • Get A Quote
  • Customer Service
  • Refer a Friend
  • About Us
  • Claim Information
  • Employee Directory
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Call Us Contact Us For A Quote | 847.680.0888
     Home
  • Home
  • Get A Quote
    • AutomobileImage of right arrow
      • Mexico Travel Insurance Quote
      • Automobile Quote
      • Get an Instant Quote Now!
    • Bonds
    • Business & CommercialImage of right arrow
      • Commercial Auto Insurance Quote
      • General Liability Quote Form
      • Business Owners (BOP) Quote Form
      • Workers Compensation Quote
    • Flood
    • HealthImage of right arrow
      • Disability Insurance Quote
      • Long Term Care Insurance Quote
    • HomeownersImage of right arrow
      • Homeowners Quote
      • Get an Instant Quote
    • LifeImage of right arrow
      • Life Insurance Quote
      • Term Life Insurance Quote
    • Motorcycle
    • Recreational Vehicle
    • Renters
    • Watercraft & Boat
  • Customer Service
    • Automobile
    • Business & Commercial
    • Motorcycle
  • Claims
    • Automobile
    • Homeowners
  • Blog
  • Make a Payment
  • Resources
    • Secure File Area
    • Refer a Friend
    • Important Links
    • Calculators
    • Free Reports
    • Insurance Glossary
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • News Center
  • About Us
    • About R Hobbs Insurance Agency Inc
    • Location Map
    • Employee Directory
    • Partners
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
Homeowners Insurance HOME

A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.

Read More
Auto Insurance AUTO

Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident.

Read More
Business Insurance BUSINESS

Discover the perfect insurance options to meet your specific and unique needs.

Read More
Life Insurance LIFE

Browse a variety of insurance options in order to find the right one for you.

Read More
Flood Insurance FLOOD

Learn about different flood coverage options that fit your specific needs.

Read More
Boat Insurance BOAT

Finding insurance doesn't have to be difficult. We do the work for you.

Read More
Home > Blog > What Driving Habits Are Bad For My Car?
MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

What Driving Habits Are Bad For My Car?

7 Driving Habits That Are Bad for Your Car

No matter how safe you are behind the wheel, you’ve probably done things like:

  • Shift into drive while the car is still rolling backward.
  • Ride the brakes on steep hills.
  • Roll into the gas station on empty.

Guilty? If so, you may not have even realized you were doing everything wrong. After all, almost everybody has a bad driving habit or two. But most everybody doesn’t have to pay for your auto repairs. You do.

So, look at these seven driving habits that are bad for your car and learn why you should avoid them. It may be time to change the way you drive!

  1. Running on empty. You might enjoy living on the edge, but driving around without much gas can put your car’s fuel pump on edge, too. That won’t necessarily ruin your car, but replacing your fuel pump will probably hurt your checkbook. Keep your tank at least a quarter full.
  2. Shifting too soon. If you have an automatic transmission, it’s easy to pop the car into drive while it’s still rolling in reverse. Don’t! Unless you want to put additional stress on your transmission, that is. Come to a stop, then shift.
  3. Braking too much. Following other cars too closely can wear your brakes and rotors out more quickly because you’ll probably have to use them more than other drivers. (Of course, you should maintain an adequate following distance for safety reasons, too.) But, even in situations where braking seems unavoidable, such as going down a steep hill, you have another option: Shifting into a lower gear will slow you down without riding the brakes.
  4. Gunning it. Maybe you drive a fast car. Or perhaps you want to feel like you drive a fast car. Whatever kind of car you have, punching the gas from a stop can be hard on it, even more so if the vehicle is cold and the oil hasn’t fully dispersed throughout the engine. Those fast starts mean faster wear on your tires, too.
  5. Forgetting the parking brake. Do you know what holds your car in park? One small piece of metal in the transmission. Not using the parking brake puts more stress on that bit of metal. So, use it.
  6. Packing on the pounds. Just like with your body, extra weight puts stress on several different areas of your car. So, clean out that trunk and remove unnecessary items from the interior. Your suspension, brakes, and transmission will thank you. Thanks to better gas mileage, your bank account will, too.
  7. Holding down the clutch. Have a manual transmission? Keep the car neutral at intersections, so you don’t need to press the clutch until you’re ready to roll. Riding the clutch is a great way to burn it out eventually.

Even if you don’t do anything on this list, you’re still not out of the woods. (But you’re probably closer than most of us.) Keep your ears and eyes open for strange noises, warning lights, or anything out of the ordinary — and don’t ignore them. Inspect the issue, or get your car to a mechanic before it becomes a bigger problem.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.

Contact us for all of your insurance needs! 

Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Vernon Hills, and Lincolnshire residents, at R Hobbs Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (847) 680-0888 or send us a note at chris@rhobbsinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!

 

a close up of a lush green field

Posted 10:00 AM

Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013


View Mobile Version
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Twitter Logo
Tweets by RHobbsInsurance

Resources

Home About Us Get a Quote Customer Service Contact Us

Contact Us

icon
  • Mailing Address
  • 250 Parkway Dr. Suite 150
  • Lincolnshire, IL 60069
  • –
  • Phone: 847.680.0888
  • Fax: 847.821.0898
  • Email us
© Copyright. All rights reserved.
Powered by Insurance Website Builder