Be a better car owner by avoiding these bad habits this winter.

While most car owners appreciate everything that their car enables them to do, they tend to take their vehicles for granted as time goes on.  Unfortunately, this can cause drivers to become lazy and start neglecting their cars.  As winter weather sets in, your negligence may start to affect your car's ability to function properly.  If you want to keep your car up and running, then here are some of the bad car habits to break this winter.

• Skipping Service Appointments

When you take your car in to be serviced, the mechanic will schedule your next appointment.  However, many drivers ignore routine car check-ups, choosing only to take their car in when they notice a major issue.  Failing to maintain your car will make it more susceptible to corrosive engine buildup and damaging wear and tear.  This will make your car more likely to breakdown or experience a major mechanical issue.  So, if you want to avoid expensive and time-consuming car repairs, then you need to keep up with your regular service appointments.

• Depleting Your Gas Tank

Many drivers do not fill up their cars until their gas gauge is nearly empty.  While you may get away with this when the weather is warm, cold winter temperatures can cause the gas in your tank to contract.  This might mean that you actually run out of gas before your indicator light turns on.  Additionally, when you have less fuel in your tank, then you increase your chances of moisture getting into your gas lines and freezing over.  As this would cause significant and expensive damage to your vehicle, it's best to play things safe and fill up every time you hit a quarter tank.

• Letting Your Car Idle Too Long

When it's cold outside, many car owners turn on their cars and let them run until they warm up.  However, cars are not designed to idle for very long.  Letting your car idle can create buildup on the spark plugs, affecting your car's efficiency.  Additionally, this also wastes gas and hurts the environment.  So, from many perspectives, it's a good idea to break this habit. These are some of the bad car habits that you should break this winter.  Want another way to take care of your car this winter?  Then make sure you have the right auto insurance in place.  For assistance with all your car coverage needs, contact the experts at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California, today.