Drivers could save up to £600 in car repair costs if they can stop committing these bad driving habits.
With the cost of living crisis continuing to hold people in its grasp, drivers across the country are trying to save money by adapting their daily habits.
Several car experts have shown the most common habits drivers should change to avoid spending money to fix their cars.
Several parts may need to be replaced more frequently, especially if you brake harshly, ride the clutch, and drive with your hand resting on the gear stick.
Andrew Jervis, the CEO of ClickMechanic, said: “Many of us are guilty of bad driving habits, but most won’t know that this can actually cost us money by prematurely wearing out parts.”
Here are the most common mistakes drivers make, along with the repair cost:
Riding the clutch
The average cost to repair: £600
The clutch, which is a feature in all manual cars, is renowned for wear and tear. Not only is it a common issue for cars, but it is also an expensive fix with costs exceeding £900, depending on the car. Due to this, it is crucial to protect this at all costs. Andrew Jervis said: [Riding the clutch] is a bad idea because as the clutch slips, it chafes against the flywheel and gently wears it out. Avoid doing this, and these parts should last much longer.’
Keeping the clutch engaged at traffic lights
The average cost to repair: £600
While waiting at traffic lights, several drivers will be guilty of remaining in first gear with their clutch engaged. Drivers do this to ensure they receive a faster getaway when the light turns green. Whilst this may help you get off the line quicker, it can cause your car’s clutch and other moving parts to be repaired sooner.
Resting your hand on the gear stick
The average gearbox repair: £300
For drivers in manual cars, resting your hand on the gear stick with one hand on the wheel is a common position. When it comes to having the best hand position, our driving instructor in London, Thomas Henson, says, “The best thing to do when driving is to return your hand to the wheel once you have changed gears. This allows you to not only have full control of the car, but you can also keep your gearbox in good condition.”
Harsh and late braking
The average cost to replace brake discs and pads: £284
The brakes are by far the most important part of your car, especially regarding safety. If you use them with unnecessary force or brake harshly, it could quickly wear them down. If you don’t get these fixed, it could cause you to be involved in an accident.
Hitting potholes or speed bumps
The average cost to repair car suspension: £215
Drivers across the country encounter potholes and speed bumps regularly. If you encounter them on your drive, you should always try to avoid them. When going over potholes repeatedly, you could damage the suspension and tyres of your car.
