10 things that you should keep your car away from

Buying a car has become easy and hassle-free these days due to instant financing options. It can be a luxury purchase or a necessity for the daily commute, irrespective of the reason for owning a car, it is important to maintain it right. More than buying a car, maintaining is the primary task. Even if there is car insurance in UAE to protect you financially during damages or other factors, it is important to note the exclusions of car insurance coverage. Being cautious with your vehicle is needed and there are certain things you should never do to your car at any cost which will land you in big troubles mentally, physically and financially. 

1. Driving without license or Insurance

There are some mandatory documents that are required to drive your car legally. In the UAE, it is illegal to drive a car with a driving license and car insurance. There is a huge penalty with black points added if you are found driving without a license or car insurance in the UAE. So ensure you get at least basic car insurance that would be beneficial for you.  

2. Using the wrong coolant

Coolant is one of the important components of your car’s engine. Choosing the wrong coolant damages the water pump, radiator, heater pipes, etc. which are important for the engine to function properly. And the wrong mix of coolant will eventually affect the working of your car. The right coolant that is recommended for your vehicle is listed on the owner’s manual of the car. Check that before choosing the wrong one and damaging your vehicle. 

3. Mixing up the brake and power steering fluid

Along with many important fluids which are required for the smooth functioning of a car, brake fluid and power steering fluid are also important. But it is essential to understand that the brake fluid and power steering fluid are not the same. Using the brake fluid for power steering or vice versa will cause the failure of the brake system. Hence always recheck before filling out the fluids and fill the ones that are meant for it.  

4. Changing car paint

Did you know that changing your car paint color is illegal in the UAE? You need official permission from the nearby police station to get your car color changed. You need to visit the police station in your Emirates with your Emirates ID and Car Registration Card and pay a nominal fee to get the approval. Only by seeing the approval letter, any car service center in the UAE agrees to change the color. This is applicable only to the exterior car paint, not the interior changes. 

5. Driving when the oil indicator is ON

Oil indicator is an important component of a car that turns on when there is no oil left in your vehicle to move forward. It can mean that theory is low oil pressure or oil starvation happening on your vehicle or the oil pump has failed. In such cases, you immediately need to stop driving the vehicle, open the hood and check the oil level using a dipstick. If there is no oil, then you need to refill it before restarting the car else it will cause engine breakdown and engine repair is the costliest repair for your car. 

6. Mixing up engine oils

Your car is meant to function only with certain fluids. Mixing up different fluids can cause severe damage to the engine of the vehicle. The engine is the heart of a car, any damage to it can cost you thousands of dirhams to get it fixed. Not every car works with the same oil. Each engine is designed differently and there are different oil means for that engine to function smoothly. Mixing up different fluids will dangerously affect the engine.  

7. Pressure washing the Engine

Pressure washing the vehicle is important for maintenance but the engine can be omitted. Pressure washing the engine will affect the minute and delicate components. As mentioned, the engine is the major component of the vehicle. Pressure washing the engine is something that needs to be avoided. 

8. Driving when Engine in bad condition

The engine is the important component of the vehicle, the force driving when the engine is not in a proper condition will lead to the failure of the engine. Revving the engine is bad for the engine in the long term. 

9. Over inflating the vehicle tyres

Overinflating the vehicle tires will do no good to the tires. While getting your vehicle tyres inflated, it is required to maintain optimum inflation according to the pressure gauze. Though overinflated tires give better mileage, in the beginning, it will lead to the wear and tear of the tires damaging them completely. 

10. Towing the vehicle with wheels down

When your vehicle breaks down on the road, there is roadside assistance provided either by your car insurance provider or any private service provider. Towing with all wheels down will cause severe wear because the engine-driven pump for lubrication and cooling is not in operation. This is especially for automatic vehicles.