Want to save £600 on car repairs? Avoid these common traffic light mistakes
Would you like to save €600 on car repairs? Avoid these common traffic light mistakes
- Hard braking and stepping on the clutch can shorten the life of car parts
- Overuse of the clutch can lead to an expensive £600 repair
- Motorists said that ‘bad driving habits’ can lead to premature wear of parts
Motorists have been warned about the ‘bad driving habits’ that can cost them up to £600 in car repairs.
Amid the rising cost of living, many people are eager to change their daily habits to save money.
Insights from auto experts show that some habits drivers should change to avoid costly repairs.
Hard braking, hitting the clutch, and driving with your hand on the gear lever can shorten the life of car parts, meaning they need to be replaced more often.
Andrew Jervis, CEO of the leading online auto repair platform Click mechanismsaid, “Many of us are guilty of bad driving habits, but most will not know that it can cost us money through premature wear of parts.”
Below are some of the most common mistakes drivers make, along with their average repair costs.
Motorists have been advised that changing ‘bad driving habits’ can help them avoid spending money on unnecessary repair costs.
Riding the clutch
Average repair cost: £600
A clutch, present in all cars with a manual transmission, is particularly subject to wear.
Clutches are expensive and can cost up to £900 depending on the car, so it’s important to protect them where possible.
Mr Jervis said: [Riding the clutch] is a bad idea, because if the clutch slips, it rubs against the flywheel and wears gently. Don’t do this and these parts will last much longer.’
Keep the clutch engaged at traffic lights
Average repair cost: £600
Many drivers will be guilty of staying in first gear with their foot on the clutch at traffic lights to ensure they get away faster when the lights turn green.
But this can actually cause expensive parts to wear out prematurely, requiring replacement.
Rest your hand on the gear lever
Average gearbox repair: £300
Drivers of manual cars can easily rest one hand on the steering wheel and another on the gear lever.
“The best habit to maintain is to shift gears quickly and return your left hand to the wheel,” says Jervis.
Hard and late braking
Average cost to replace brake discs and pads: £284
Your brakes are your car’s most important safety feature, so treat them with respect, advises Mr. Jervis.
Using them with unnecessary force under hard braking may result in their needing to be replaced prematurely.
Hitting potholes or speed bumps
Average cost to repair car suspension: £215
Potholes in our roads are inevitable after a harsh winter, but driving over them should always be avoided whenever possible.