My 14 Daily Driving Habits

Before You Even Start the Engine

1. Walk around your car.

Every time. Check for obstacles, kids, pets, anything near your wheels. Takes 10 seconds. I've caught flat tires, broken lights, and a cat sleeping under my car this way.

2. Check both side mirrors.

Don't just glance. Make sure they're actually in the right position. Someone might have bumped them in a parking lot.

Starting Up

3. Let the engine idle down.

Start the engine. Wait until the RPM drops below 1,000 before you move. This isn't about being gentle with the car — it's about giving yourself a moment to settle in.

4. Keep it slow until the engine warms up.

No hard acceleration for the first few minutes. The engine oil hasn't reached full circulation yet. This habit alone has saved me thousands in maintenance.

5. Check your rearview mirror on highways. Constantly.

This is non-negotiable. When traffic slows ahead, your first instinct says "brake hard at the last moment." Bad instinct. Brake early and gradually, because the car behind you may not stop in time. Also: if a large truck is behind you in slowing traffic, change lanes immediately.