Often, good driving for your car is also ideal for your own health because it's safer. Read the advice from our experienced auto repair specialists below.

Avoid Really Slow Acceleration

Primarily to save gas, know that it's silly to start driving so slowly that you risk the road rage of your fellow road warriors. Some drivers have been taught not to dart off from a stop, and that's usually smart. But starting too slowly stops your engine from reaching optimal speed and can make the transmission and engine work extra hard. You should probably drive at expected speeds.

Don't Drive on Empty

There are 3 main reasons not to drive close to empty, and only one involves getting stranded. One of the other reasons is that sediment in gas or diesel settles on the bottom of your gas tank, so when the gas is almost gone your fuel pump has to force that sediment through the fuel lines. Even if this doesn't clog the lines, which it could, it does cause your engine to work a little harder than necessary. The other reason is that for many vehicles, gas or diesel in the tank usually helps cool the part that pumps fuel, making it last longer and work better. If you have too little gas, your fuel pump could overheat and wear out more quickly.

Don't Idle or Rev

If you've read our blog, you know our thoughts on idling. It's also a bad idea to rev your engine while stopped, especially if you're doing so with a cold engine. If you do, the engine will not become lubricated safely and the catalytic convertor won't start working. Extreme temperature shifts are also a problem.

Don't Stop and Start Too Quickly

It's not a race. Obviously this behavior is far more likely to cause a crash. But beyond that, slamming the gas pedal at lights and braking hard is difficult on your brakes, engine and transmission. It's only natural to show off a fast vehicle, but we think that you shouldn't abuse it.

Don't Shift Improperly

There are several instances in which sloppy shifting behavior can wear out your transmission. We'll just go over some of the ways. Don't ever shift into park or reverse while your car is moving. Also, don't go into park and run off without using the E brake. When you do, the whole vehicle's weight will rest against the transmission instead of the brake. For manual shifters, be careful to remove your foot from the clutch between shifting. These simple habits could save you thousands of dollars.

Don't Push the Speed Limit

Driving as fast as possible on the freeway can be a rush. However, driving too fast can be hard on your engine. Our auto team at Christian Brothers in Pflugerville says that most cars do best at forty to sixty miles per hour. If you drive faster than that, your engine will need more gas or diesel mile by mile and your transmission may not be able to keep up. Also, operating at top capacity means extra stress on all the small moving parts of your engine, and that can cause early wear. Driving at the limit is the perfect way to show that you love your vehicle.

Get Your Vehicle Checked at Christian Brothers

In addition to driving wisely, keep your ride clean from the exterior to the interior. You should also be careful to check the oil, the tires and the lights often. Then, at least every 5,000 miles, bring your auto in to your Pflugerville Christian Brothers repair shop for a diagnostic and analysis.