Do Not Do These Things To Your Vehicle

We have all heard of things we should and should not do to our vehicles. However, sometimes we either pay no attention to those things or have little to no reason to be sure it’s true and not just some rumour. While some things are borderline superstitious, others have a real underlying cause of concern that makes it necessary for us to take actions. So we have compiled a list of all the things that may cause trouble in your vehicle and which you should refrain from doing.

Not sure if you have a bad battery or alternator? You may be tempted to check a bad alternator by disconnecting the battery with the vehicle running. However, you must not do so as it can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle’s electrical system. This method might have worked on older vehicles that had no computers, but in modern cars, you can damage the electronic modules, resulting in overvoltage, surges and short circuits in the electrical system. 

While we are on the subject of batteries, here’s another way you can cause serious damage to not just your vehicle but also yourself - by jump-starting the wrong way. It is important to know the right way to jump-start a car to avoid a potential explosion of hydrogen gas. Here’s how you do it:

• First, connect the positive and negative terminals of the cable to the good battery and make sure the vehicle is not running. 

• Now connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.

• Connect the negative terminal to any metal ground in the engine bay (like the strut mount or any exposed bare metal engine tab, etc.) and not directly to the negative terminal of the dead battery. 

The reason you do not connect the negative cable directly to the negative terminal is because when connecting directly there is a chance of a spark to occur that can ignite any lifted hydrogen gas in and around the battery, causing an explosion. 

• Now turn on the car that still runs and let it run for a few minutes. 

• Then attempt to start the dead car while making sure that the other vehicle is not running. 

Simultaneously running both the vehicles that are connected with cables can cause opposing currents to flow through and destroy electronics in both vehicles. To learn more about how to jump-start your car here’s a detailed article.

Although some people may claim that overinflated tires provide a small increase in fuel economy, the many downsides and potential dangers far outweigh this slight benefit. By decreasing the tire contact patch, you decrease rolling resistance and increase fuel efficiency. But what you fail to notice is the increased tire wear, worse handling and comfort, longer stopping distances and unwanted suspension system repair costs. 

Driving at the maximum tire pressure is only okay if you are hauling cargo or heavy loads, but once you remove the load, you need to go back to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. The recommended pressure is calculated according to the vehicle’s weight and ideal handling characteristics. Over-inflating can result in slightly better fuel economy but there are many downsides to it like longer stopping distances. Since the tire contact patch is much less, the traction is reduced and the tires tend to hydroplane and slip on snow and wet roads. Thinner tires also wear unevenly and are much harder which means the tires absorb less vibrations and bumps and therefore the ride is rougher. This also means the suspension takes more impact and vibrations from the roads which wears out the various suspension system components faster.

The more weight you carry in your vehicle, the harder it has to work. This excess weight can cause your tire to wear out quickly. It also adds extra strain on the suspension and braking systems. Your stopping distances are increased, and your fuel economy takes a hit. Try not to carry extra cargo in your vehicle on a regular basis, especially the stuff you don’t need. Trucks and SUVs can handle the extra weight but compact cars like sedans and hatchbacks are not designed for such use.

There are many different types of coolant these days each with different additives. So naturally, not all types of coolants are going to be compatible with your engine, especially the universal coolant. The manufacturer recommended coolant is designed to work with your specific engine, radiator and other components. Switching  between or mixing different coolant types can cause many problems, one of the worst being corrosion in the engine, radiator or heater core. The problems would not be apparent right away but develop over time. To prevent mishaps down the road, stick to the recommended coolant type and flush the system regularly. Here’s how you can easily flush the coolant in your car. 

Similar to how coolant type can vary, engine oil can be even more complex. The oil used in engines not only differs in type but also in viscosity. The right viscosity grade is extremely important, especially in modern advanced engines with sophisticated mechanisms like variable valve timing (VVT). VVT works because of oil pressure within the engine camshaft. If the viscosity changes, the oil pressure within the system is disrupted which can cause the system to fail and consequently the engine. To prevent such mishaps, make sure you purchase the right engine oil (viscosity grade). Also do not overfill the engine with oil. The oil level needs to be between the max and min mark. It should not exceed or even reach the max mark. Also, make sure you maintain these other 8 fluids in your car with the right type and at the right level. 

To know more about engine oil viscosity, grades and types, click here.

Our vehicles are constantly exposed to elements that can cause a lot of harm to the vehicle’s precious bodywork or paint. The biggest problem that we can face is rust. The winter months are particularly hard on the body panels that are exposed to salt and snow which is the perfect condition for rust to proliferate. Ignoring rust can lead to gigantic repairs and is also a serious safety concern as it can eat away the structural metal parts of the chassis and leave the vehicle a hollow shell. 

If you notice any rust then get it fixed immediately. It may start as a harmless patch and turn into a big problem. Also, make sure you check the undercarriage for rust. Rust usually starts off at the surface so finding it should not be too hard. Although surface rust is not an issue, it can turn into a major problem if not checked regularly . If you find a rust-exposed area, strip it down to bare metal, fill and repaint the surface. For large rust holes or patches, the best solution is to remove all the rusted metal and weld in new pieces. Here are a few other things that you should inspect regularly in your vehicle to prevent expensive repairs and prolong its life.

Dishwashing soap is very abrasive and strong. It is designed to remove oil, grease and grime from the dishes. This makes it too harsh to be used on delicate paint of the vehicle. Dishwashing soap can also remove the protective wax and sealants found on the paint making it more vulnerable to UV rays and the elements. Stripping off the wax also dulls the paint and makes it look older than it is. With a lack of protection, the life of the paint is also reduced significantly. So the next time you are out washing your car, don’t just grab the first cleaning liquid that you find. Buy dedicated car wash soap to preserve the paint and get better results.

You should never drive the car till it runs out of gas. This was fine in older vehicles with mechanical fuel delivery, but in modern fuel-injected vehicles, this can do a lot of damage. 

Modern cars come with an electrical fuel pump that is situated inside the fuel tank. In normal conditions, the fuel in the tank helps keep the temperature of the pump down as it runs and also acts as a lubricant as it passes through. Constantly driving with low fuel will cause the pump to run at higher than favourable temperatures. If you drive till you run out of gas, the pump will suck in air instead of fuel which can cause it to burn and seize. So make sure to have at least a quarter tank of gas left before filling up again.

When you do go for a fill-up, don’t fill the tank up to the point where there is no room left. Filling the tank to the brim can damage the evaporative emission control (EVAP) system. Liquid fuel can flow into the charcoal canister of the EVAP system which is designed to only take gasoline vapours. This problem can be expensive to fix but is very easy to avoid.