10 Ways to Keep Your Car Out of the Shop

Updated on July 10, 2008.

THESE DAYS, CARS are made better than ever before. Drivers of most new models can expect a good 200,000 miles' worth of engine life — as long as they follow the instructions in the owner's manual to the letter.

Sadly, most of us never reach that milestone, because of bad driving habits that take years off the lives of our beloved cars. Even worse, our nasty driving habits can end up costing us thousands in repairs that could have been prevented.

But there's hope. Here are 10 ways you can add longevity to your car and keep it out of the shop.

1. Start It Up Properly
"Most of the wear on an engine happens when you start the car," says Edmunds.com's automotive expert Karl Brauer. "If you can get the starter stuff down, you'll find cars will wear much less over time." How do you do that? Make sure any extra accessories, such as headlights or climate control, aren't on when you turn the ignition. If you do, you're asking the engine to work harder than necessary right off the bat.

An even more destructive habit: revving the engine. Believe it or not, this won't help warm up the car. In fact, revving can do serious damage to the engine and significantly shorten its life. Engines need oil to run smoothly. But right after you turn over the ignition, the oil is still sitting in the pan. When you floor the gas pedal, you're asking the engine to work overtime without lubricant — putting metal to metal. Wear out this most important drive train component and you can expect to pay $3,000 to $5,000 for a new one.

2. Come to a Complete Stop
Ever pull out of a parking spot and pop your car into drive while it's still coasting backward? If the answer is yes, you can kiss your transmission goodbye.

By shifting into drive while the car is still in reverse, you're asking the transmission to do the work of the brakes — and that will wear down your gears, says Edmunds.com's Brauer. Essentially, you're putting several months of wear and tear onto that transmission compared with normal driving, he says. So while a transmission driven properly should last more than 100,000 miles, one owned by an aggressive or impatient driver will give out long before that. Fixing the transmission will run anywhere from $1,000 and up, while a brand new one sells for at least $3,000.

And by not braking before shifting gears, you're also wrecking your drive shafts, which propel the wheels forward. If you notice that your front suspension and handling start to feel a little sloppy, it could be a sign of damaged drive shafts, warns David Champion, the director of automobile testing for Consumer Reports. Replacing both can cost $500.

3. Don't Run the Needle Down to Empty
You may not realize it, but sediment collects at the bottom of the fuel tank over time. You never want to do anything to unleash that dirt into your fuel system. Even the smallest amount could clog or damage parts, says Tony Molla, spokesman for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and a former automotive technician.

You can stir up sediment by driving with less than a quarter of a tank of gas. Prolonged abuse could wreck your fuel injector, which costs about $80 to $100. You may also need a new fuel filter, which is twice as expensive. And if you're the type who loves to drive on fumes, you could be in for a big surprise. By continually using the filthiest gas in your tank, you could, one day, need a fuel-system flush and cleaning. Expect to pay a startling $1,000 for this service.

4. Turn Gently
Cutting the steering wheel too far to the right or left — something nearly everyone is guilty of while parallel parking — can also do damage. By turning the wheel to the point where it can move no further, you're putting 50 times more wear and tear on your steering pump than normal, Brauer says. Most people will never need to replace the steering pump; it should last the life of your car. But if you continually put massive stress on it, prepare to fork over $300 to $500 for a new one someday.

5. Check Your Tires
The next time you roll into a gas station, take a minute and check your tire pressure. Too little or too much pressure can cause all sorts of problems. If you drive with too little air, your tires will get quite hot; excessive heat will wear out the tread much faster than normal driving. If you drive with too much air, less rubber will hit the road than necessary. Next thing you know, the outside portion of your tire will be doing all the work and wearing out faster than the inside. And don't fool yourself thinking that your tires are under warranty. That manufacturer will replace them only if one, for example, gets punctured by a nail, says Consumer Reports' Champion. Poor maintenance is your problem. Since proper air pressure is different for every car, check the sticker on the door. Never look at the tire itself for guidance, he says.

Checking your tire pressure regularly can save you a bundle. New tires these days start at $100 — each.