Bad car care habits that can cost you big bucks

Your car is a big investment - probably one of the biggest ones you'll make besides your home. And you probably dropped a hefty chunk of change on it whether you made a down payment and are financing it, or whether you bought it outright with cash. Either way, it's your job to protect your investment with routine car care and detailing. 

Don't make these car care mistakes 

However, it's also your job to do away with bad car care habits that could be doing damage to your ride. Toyota of North Charlotte is here to discuss five of the most common bad habits we see and how to correct them! 

#1: Not emptying out your trunk. 

Are you guilty of keeping way too much junk in your trunk? Believe it or not, this bad car care habit can cost you. Extra cargo weight means your car is less fuel-efficient so you'll burn up more gas than you should. You'll also likely wear out your brakes, suspension, and even your engine more quickly as the extra weight puts extra stress on your car. Save yourself money and go minimalist in your trunk, keeping just the bare necessities on deck. 

#2: Putting the bare minimum in the gas tank. 

Are you guilty of putting just a few dollars worth of gas into your tank at once and coasting on near-empty as often as you can? Stop. You may think you're saving money, but you're actually just racking up car care costs. Keeping your fuel pump submerged in gasoline helps it to run cooler and also preserves it so it lasts longer. Plus, the fewer trips you have to take to the gas station, the less gas you use getting there and back. 

#3: Putting the pedal to the metal. 

If you're a fan of putting the pedal to the metal and accelerating quickly, you may want to rethink it! First of all, you're using way more gas than you need to when you do this. Second of all, consistently hitting the accelerator hard puts a lot of strain on the drivetrain of your car, and also puts more stress on the brakes because they have to work harder to bring you to a stop. Work on accelerating evenly. 

#4: Avoiding using the parking brake. 

Feel like you don't have to use the parking brake unless you're parked on a hill? You may want to reconsider. Using your parking brake actually helps to redistribute your car's weight better so it's not as much strain on your regular brakes. Pull the e-brake when you park to save money on car care down the road. 

#5: Shifting from reverse to drive too quickly. 

When you shit from reverse into drive, you should bring your car to a complete stop and THEN shift into drive. Many people are guilty of shifting into drive immediately while their cars are still rolling, but this can actually damage your car's transmission over time. 

Address your car care concerns at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Have car care questions or concerns? We're here to help. Call Toyota of N Charlotte at (704) 875-9199 today or stop by and see us at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23.