Poor driving habits themselves can destroy your truck or car, and that's true even if you don't crash. Read the tips from our expert mechanics below.

Don't Accelerate Slowly

For safety and a higher mph, realize that there's no reason to start driving so slowly that you risk the anger of your fellow motorists. Some drivers have been taught not to dart off from a stop, and that's usually smart. But accelerating extra slow prevents your engine from normal driving conditions and can make the transmission and engine work extra hard. Drive at about the same speed as the autos around you.

Don't Drive on Empty

There are three reasons to avoid driving on low fuel levels, and only one involves getting stranded. One of the other reasons is that sediment in gas or diesel drops to the bottom of your tank, so when the gas is almost gone your car has to force that sediment through the fuel ignition system. This causes buildup and can also cause your car to work harder than usual. Furthermore, fuel in the tank helps cool the fuel pump, making it more efficient. If you don't have enough, your fuel pump could overheat and wear out more quickly.

Don't Rev the Engine or Idle for Too Long

We have written about engine idling already, and the truth is that you shouldn't ever idle the engine for more than about sixty seconds. It's also unwise to rev your engine while stopped, especially if the engine isn't warm. If you do, the engine will not become lubricated safely and the catalytic converter won't start working. Extreme temperature shifts are also a problem.

Don't Stop and Start Too Quickly

Don't drive like you're in an action movie. One of the most obvious reasons not to drive too fast is that this bad habit is unsafe. But furthermore, peeling out at stoplights and slamming on the brakes is taxing on your engine, your transmission, your suspension system and your brakes. It's easy to understand why you want to show off a fast vehicle, but we think that driving safely is the best way to show you care about your car.

Don't Shift Improperly

It can be tricky to handle the transmission properly. First, don't ever change directions or park while your car is moving. Also, don't go into park and leave the car without also putting on the parking brake. When you do, all the weight of your auto will rest against the transmission itself. For stick shifts, be careful to remove your foot from the clutch when you aren't shifting. These easy tricks could save you thousands of dollars.

Don't Speed on the Freeway

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. However, driving this way can wreck the engine, and the car. Our automobile experts at Christian Brothers in Pearland believe that most autos perform ideally at between 40 and 60 mph. If you go faster, your engine will use more gas or diesel per mile driven and your transmission will wear out. Also, when you go so fast it means extra stress on all the small moving parts of your engine, and that can cause it to wear out more quickly. In the end, driving at posted speed limits is the perfect way to show that you love your vehicle.

Call us for an Engine Check

Drive with the right habits and keep your ride clean from the exterior to the interior. You should also be sure to check the tires, oil and lights often. And at regular intervals, bring your ride in to your Pearland Christian Brothers garage for a diagnostic and analysis.