Drivers often underestimate how hard they’re being on their cars and fail to take into account these severe driving habits when following a maintenance schedule, according to AAA.
In a recent poll, AAA found that only 6% of motorists actually felt as if they did a bulk of their driving under severe conditions. But when motorists were asked about their actual driving behaviors, AAA found that 62% unwittingly admitted they drive in or create severe operating conditions 62% of the time.
Common behaviors AAA says are considered severe include:
Driving on short trips of less than five miles in normal temperatures or less than 10 miles in freezing temperatures
Driving in stop-and-go traffic in hot weather
Driving at speeds of less than 50 mph for long distances
Driving on roads that are dusty or muddy or have salt, sand or gravel spread on the surface
Towing a trailer or transporting items on a roof rack or in a cartop carrier
AAA notes that manufacturers have differing maintenance recommendations for severe driving conditions and that under these conditions, drivers should change the vehicle’s fluids and filters and inspect certain components more often.
Most people don’t understand how hard they are on their vehicles, so it’s important to take an honest account of your driving habits, learn what your vehicle’s manufacturer considers severe conditions and then schedule maintenance appropriately.
