Three Car Mistakes That Are Risky And Expensive
As a human driver, you’re bound to make mistakes. Some mistakes are minor, but some, like the following three, are dangerous and costly.
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Ignoring what your owner’s manual says about which coolant/antifreeze to use can be detrimental to your car’s essential systems.
“If you use the wrong coolant or mix two different types of coolant you can actually cause early water pump, radiator, heater pipes and heater core failure,” explains The Family Handyman writer Rick Muscoplat. “That’s because corrosion inhibitors are designed to be compatible with the specific metals used in the engine and cooling system.”
If you tend to only stop at the gas station when your car’s low fuel indicator starts dinging, you’re setting up your fuel pump to fail sooner than it should.
“In-tank fuel pump replacement can cost around $700,” writes Muscoplat. “Overheating isn’t the only issue, though. Consistently driving with a low fuel level causes the pump to suck in debris from the bottom of the tank. That debris can pass through the ‘sock’ filter in the tank and the particles can wear out the pump impeller, causing a low fuel pressure situation.”
Every dashboard warning light is important, but some, like the low oil pressure warning light, require immediate action. You need to pull over, shut off the engine, and see where the oil level lands on the dipstick. You’ll need more oil before you can drive again if the level is super low.
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“Driving a car when it’s dangerously low or completely out of oil will destroy your engine in just a few minutes, and that can easily cost you $4,000,” warns Muscoplat. “Don’t think you can drive to the nearest store to get more! It’s not worth the risk.”
News Source: The Family Handyman
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.