United Tire and Service News

We all have those little habits that are not good for us. You might bite your nails or grind your teeth, but what about the habits you have while driving? What about the habits you don’t have, like maintaining your tires or brakes? There are several surprising habits that might put you and your vehicle at risk. 

Not Wearing A Seatbelt

Not wearing a seatbelt has to be the worst habit you can have. Seatbelts save lives and might just save yours. If you have the habit of not buckling make sure you change your ways!

Not Getting Enough Sleep

Are you well rested when you’re behind the wheel? Believe it or not, driving sleepy is pretty common. Whether it’s an early morning to work, late evening home, or that long stretch of road to get to your favorite vacation spot, we all drive tried on a regular basis.

Texting and Driving

Texting while driving and talking on the phone is a habit that most of us have. At this point, I’m sure you think you are the master of this skill. But in reality texting and talking while you drive takes a lot of focus away from the road. If you need to multitask while you drive, watch your speed, use your blinkers, and check that blind spot instead.

Tailgating

If you’re tailgating, you should get your brakes checked on a regular basis. A good rule is to always leave at least 2 car links between yourself and other vehicles around you.

Speeding Up at Yellow Lights

Too often, drivers will gain speed when the light switches from green to yellow. Unfortunately, this can cause accidents and, should you have to slam on the brakes, isn't great for your vehicle. Yellow actually means prepare to stop. Make sure to slow down when you see a traffic light switch from green to yellow. 

Fluttering the Brakes Consistently

This is something that new drivers usually do but this habit is often broken after you become more comfortable behind the wheel. If you still ride your brakes, stop! The constant friction will wear down your brake pads and deteriorate your rotors.

Ignoring Warning Lights

Your dash has a lot of lights. Some of us ignore these because we think we know what they mean. Or we are afraid the underlying issue will lead to a big auto repair bill. Don’t fear most dash warning lights are simple fixes like oil changes or low tire pressure.

Not Using Your Parking Brake

Not using a parking brake. Most of us think that the parking brake is only used when you park on a hill or if you drive a manual transmission vehicle. In reality, you should use your parking brake every time your park.

Keep your Car in Great Shape

The list of bad habits goes on. We won’t take score but hopefully, you don’t do any of the things on this list.

At United Tire and Service we hope you stay safe on the road. If you need help with any neglected auto maintenance or need services to your vehicle come in and see us at one of our many locations or schedule your appointment with us today. Drive safely!

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