I’ve finally taken steps towards getting my driving license – as many readers will know this has been a long old journey. I had my first driving lessons at the age of 17, have taken 7 tests (yep, really), passed my theory test three times and taken many an extended break after losing my nerve. Finally, with a new found determination and a little bit more confidence I am hoping to have my own set of wheels by the end of the year, which means I’ve taken a little bit more interest in how to keep a car running as by the time I’ve paid for lessons and a car- not to mention the ever more expensive petrol, killing my car with something that could be avoided isn’t high on my list of things I want to do.

Probably the biggest mistake you can make is to ignore your car’s servicing date. It might be tempting if everything appears to be running fine- why pay out money when you don’t particularly see the need? It’s a false economy though- ignoring your service when it’s due can lead to a build up of rubbish in your engine leading to increased risk of breaking down, and expensive repairs to fund that could have been avoided. Somewhere like KAP Motors offer car servicing of various car makes & models including Peugeot, Nissan, Fiat etc to ensure you stay on the road.

Another potentially costly mistake can be running your car on near empty. Rising petrol prices and being on the wrong side of payday makes it tempting to see how long you can run on fumes for, but this introduces a wealth of debris in to the system which will damage the fuel pump and filters.

Being clutch heavy is a bad habit many of us have (and one I’m determined not to develop). This can cause excess wear on the clutch which is very costly to repair.

Driving in too high a gear is another bad habit that is worth putting a bit of attention in to breaking. Driving in too high a gear at a low speed puts a lot of strain on the engine which will eventually lead to big problems. Similarly driving in too low a gear will also cause avoidable wear and tear. It’s a fine balance but listen to your car and how it feels whilst you’re driving.

Finally, learn what all of the warning lights on your dashboard mean- up to 98% of drivers don’t know and if one pings on and you dismiss it as something minor because you don’t recognise a major problem could see you stranded on your way home, and ultimately without a car to drive.

Are you guilty of any of these bad habits?