Usually, good driving for your car is also safer for you because it's safer. Read the advice from our experienced auto repair team below.

Don't Push the Speed Limit

It can be a thrill to race down the interstate, passing all the other cars and proving your handling prowess as you weave through the lanes and around the curves. But realize that driving too fast can be bad for your engine. Our automobile professionals at Christian Brothers in Norman, Oklahoma, say that most trucks and cars perform best at forty to sixty miles per hour. If you go faster, your engine will use more fuel mile by mile and your transmission will be pushed to the max. Also, when you go so fast it means extra stress throughout the engine, and that can cause you to need early repairs. In the end, driving safely is a great way to show off that you're a proud car owner.

Don't Shift Like a Novice

There are several ways in which inattentive shifting behavior can wear out your transmission or clutch. Don't ever change directions or park while your car is still moving. Also, don't move the gears into park and leave the car without also putting on the parking brake. If you do, all the weight of your automobile will rest against the transmission. For manual transmission vehicles, be careful to remove your foot from the clutch when you aren't shifting. These simple tricks could save you thousands.

Don't Drive Aggressively

You're not Vin Diesel from “Fast and Furious.” Obviously the bad habit of driving aggressively is far more likely to cause a wreck. But beyond that, slamming the gas pedal at intersections and slamming on the brakes is difficult on your transmission, engine and brakes. It's only natural to show off a fast vehicle, but true car lovers know that showing off breaks cars.

Don't Idle or Rev

We have covered engine idling in a previous blog, and the best advice is that you should avoid idling for more than about one minute. It's also unwise to rev while stopped, especially if you're doing so with a cold engine. If you do, the engine oil won't circulate properly and the catalytic convertor won't start working. Extreme temperature shifts are also a problem.

Keep the Tank Half Full

This advice isn't just about optimisim. Know about a couple of ways that emptying your engine of gas or keeping the needle low is unwise: Sediment in gas drops to the bottom of your tank, so when the gas is almost gone your car has to push the grit through the fuel ignition system. This might cause a clog and will also cause your engine to work extra hard. The other reason is that for many vehicles, gas in the tank helps cool the part that pumps fuel, making it more efficient. If you don't have sufficient fuel in the tank, your fuel pump could overheat and wear out more quickly.

Don't Start Slowly

Primarily to save gas, know that it's not a good idea to accelerate more slowly than traffic. Some people have been taught not to dart off from a stop, and generally true. But getting going too slowly prevents your engine from normal driving conditions and can make the transmission and engine work extra hard. You should probably drive at expected speeds.

Get Your Vehicle Checked at Christian Brothers

Drive well and keep your auto tidy inside and out. You should also be careful to check the oil, the tires and the lights regularly. Then, at least every 5,000 miles, bring your auto in to your Norman Christian Brothers location for a professional checkup.