This Everyday Car Button Mistake May Lead to Major Repairs
Modern cars are full of buttons and switches that make our lives easier but some of them can actually cause expensive trouble if we use them the wrong way without even knowing it. Most of us just hop in the car and hit buttons out of habit but one specific mistake people make every single day is putting a massive amount of stress on the car’s most expensive parts. If you want to avoid a huge bill at the mechanic shop you really need to check how you are handling your car’s controls especially when you are parking or driving in bad weather.
The Parking Brake Oversight
A lot of people just put their car in Park and let go of the brake pedal without ever touching the actual parking brake button or lever. This mistake makes a tiny metal pin called a parking pawl hold the entire weight of your car which can eventually snap and cost a fortune to fix.
Forcing The AC Max Button
Hitting the Max AC button as soon as you get into a boiling hot car puts a huge sudden load on the compressor and the engine. It is much better to roll down the windows for a minute to let the hot air out first so the system doesn’t have to work ten times harder than it should.
The Recirculation Button Trap
Leaving the air recirculation button on for your entire drive in the winter can trap way too much moisture inside the cabin. This causes your windows to fog up badly and can even lead to mold growing inside your vents which is a total nightmare to clean out.
Shifting Before Stopping
If you hit the Reverse or Drive button while the car is still rolling even just a little bit you are grinding the gears inside the transmission. Doing this regularly will wear out the internal parts fast and you might find yourself needing a total transmission replacement way sooner than expected.
Ignoring The Traction Control
Some people turn off the traction control button because they think it makes the car feel more sporty or powerful on dry roads. But forgetting to turn it back on when it rains or snows can lead to a nasty accident and very expensive body shop repairs.
Using Cruise Control In Rain
Hitting the cruise control button when the roads are wet is a massive mistake that many drivers make on the highway. If your car starts to hydroplane the system might actually try to speed up to keep the pace which can cause you to lose total control of the vehicle.
Starting With Accessories On
Leaving buttons for the seat heaters, radio and wipers in the “on” position when you turn off the car means they all draw power the second you start it up next time. This puts a ton of extra strain on your battery and the starter motor which can lead to your car not starting on a cold morning.
Holding The Window Button
If you keep holding the power window button down after the glass is already all the way up or down you are straining the little motor inside the door. This can burn out the window regulator and then you will be stuck with a window that won’t close until you pay for a repair.
The Start Stop Button Rush
Many new cars have a button that shuts the engine off at red lights to save gas but some people hate it and mash the button constantly. If you don’t let the car finish its cycle or if you force it too much you might put unnecessary wear on the heavy duty starter.
Fog Light Mistakes
Leaving your high intensity rear fog light button on when it is perfectly clear out can actually blind the drivers behind you and is even illegal in some places. Not only is it a safety issue but it can also melt the plastic housing of the light if the bulb gets too hot for too long.
