It's a common fact that if you need to run any kind of business, you will also require a car. In fact, with the current economic desperation, you might have been forced to buy a car, even if you don't need it. Getting a car is a big responsibility and in order to avoid any kind of issues, you have to keep it in proper shape. This year, the most effective way to avoid car repair and services is to learn a thing or two about the most common car and car accessories problems.

This blog might help you get to know the main issues that come up and how.

1) Don’t rely on the car to tell you everything

It is impossible to know all of the things that can happen wrong with your car without being able to read it. Sometimes we drivers are too focused on what we are doing, where we are heading, and who we are meeting. We don’t take time to look around and make sure everything is working properly.

The first thing to understand is that there are many systems in a modern vehicle that work together to make the vehicle move and behave as it should. Each system has sensors (sensors measure something) that detect some aspect of the situation surrounding the vehicle.

These sensors send information to the central data processor, which then processes the information and sends commands to each system to act upon this information. For example, if the driver turns the steering wheel during driving, the chassis or suspension system will detect the change making the vehicle ‘feel’ different to the driver.

Other vehicles do not use such internal control mechanisms but instead have external controls for various features they include. These may include lights, horns, airbag status, etc.

2) Don’t put anything not tied to the car into your trunk

Many times when we get caught up in our day, we forget to leave time for simple things that we would think would be necessary. Such is the case with leaving enough room in the trunks of your cars.

You should include any personal items that could become missing, but there are some other items as well. Trunks need to be emptied before loading any valuable possessions inside, and empty ones can easily become potential places for someone to hide something.

When parking, always check to make sure no one else is around, and if you see anyone coming, move everything out of the way or remember where it is. Also, keep an eye out while driving; don’t just focus on what is ahead.

It is easy to become distracted by other things going on around you, so stay focused on what you are doing. Stay aware of what people are doing and saying, and watch movie scenes carefully to learn a few tricks.

Keep yourself busy by keeping yourself engaged. There are many ways to relax and feel better about yourself, but making time to do these basic things will eventually help you achieve your goals.

3) Don’t let anyone get in your trunk

Even if you are in a hurry, don’t allow anyone to get into your vehicle while it is parked or being driven. Someone could take all of your belongings and even hurt you physically. It happens too often that people get into accidents and forget about them.

Also, make sure no one has access to your keys. Sometimes housekeeping services will collect extra keys. Make sure they know not to give these keys to other people.

If someone breaks into your car, you should know who does it. Also, make a note of how many times you have been broken into. If they hit you more than once, then find another way to protect yourself or schedule for full auto service. It depends upon your thought process.

4) If you need something from your trunk, tell a valet

Valets will help you get what you need when you need it because they check up on which cars have luggage first. This way, you’ll know where there is a free spot in line to pick up any bags.

You can also ask for directions to the nearest bathrooms or restaurants so you don’t miss your turn or end up without food. It depends on how many drivers are running around looking for things to do.

If possible, bring enough supplies to stay at the campground overnight. Having this option available is useful if you make a wrong turn or run out of gas and no one else stops to assist you.

Being able to sleep well before a trip helps prevent other problems like driver exhaustion. Plus, getting a good night's rest makes driving more enjoyable.

5) Don’t use your car for blocking

Nowadays, it is difficult to avoid professional car maintenance. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the amount of time you spend in your vehicle.

If you live near other businesses, try running a shuttle rather than driving yourself or taking public transport. By being closer to home, you will save money on traffic costs and time.

Also, having these close at hand, makes calling customers/friends more enjoyable as you wait for them to get within range. Where possible, choose a different method of transportation instead of driving if you don’t need to go somewhere.

Lastly, keep unnecessary items out of your car. If you have equipment that needs to be used once you arrive, put it in a safe place (like a purse or bag). Similarly, remember the medications and paperwork you need during travels.

This way, when you step inside your destination, you’ll feel prepared and won’t have to worry about looking for anything.

6) Don’t rely on your car to hold a full load

If you are one of those who take advantage of the gaps between stops to let out stress, then this tip may surprise you. However, giving yourself some time away from traffic is an absolutely critical part of being safe behind the wheel.

If you are running late, don’t just turn around and put off heading to work; get ready as quickly as possible. Tell someone where you are leaving from and how long it will be until you are heading home.

Maybe set a lunch date with them or make a phone call that you wouldn't otherwise.

7) Don’t use your car as a food locker

We all do it. You are driving along when you realize you are close to running out of gas. You pull into the next parking lot and you try to think of what you were going to cook for dinner that night.

But did you know how to calculate the amount of fuel you need to bring with you in case you run out? Did you consider whether you would be slowing down at this particular stoplight?

These are things people forget to factor in before they start pulling stuff out of their bags.

A bigger problem is having unnecessary items in your vehicle anyway. When you add weight to your car, it will hurt the engine performance, causing problems that will be costly for you at a full-service auto shop.

You don’t want to hurt your engine by overloading it with excess baggage. Let your gasoline mileage improve while you focus on staying relaxed around other drivers.

Bonus Tip - Know your limits

Engines are complex systems, and even experienced technicians can only do so much before you reach your mechanical limit. If you don’t know your engine well, it is wise to let a professional with experience working on cars modify the settings on your engine.

Furthermore, many things require strong hands to fix; tight bolts, large engines, and heavy tools may need assistance.

If you have never worked on a car before, be honest about your limitations. Let someone who has more experience help you out instead of forcing this knowledge onto them or feeling stressed because you don’t know the material.

Some topics are easier to repair than others. Usually, electrical issues (such as noise) or structural issues (such as vibration) indicate something is wrong with the vehicle.

Keep checking your vehicle with eFatch for warnings and fixes. These could indicate another problem at hand.