7 Driving Habits That Are Bad for Your Company’s Cars

As a fleet manager or business owner, every avoidable maintenance ticket and gallon of wasted fuel directly impacts your bottom line. While vehicle longevity depends on proper shop care, it is ultimately the driver behavior that dictates the life-span and efficiency of your fleet assets.

Many common driving habits, even seemingly small ones, put unnecessary strain on critical components like the transmission, brakes, and fuel systems, accelerating wear and inflating your total cost of ownership (TCO).

Here are seven fleet driving behaviors that managers must address with their teams to maximize efficiency and protect capital investment:

1. Do Not “Run on Empty”

Some drivers push the limits, waiting until the warning light comes on before refueling. This seemingly minor habit can be very costly.

• The Problem: The electric fuel pump inside the gas tank relies on the surrounding fuel to keep it cool and lubricated. Running the tank consistently below a quarter full exposes the pump, causing it to overheat and fail prematurely.

• The Fix: Implement a strict policy requiring drivers to refuel when the tank gauge drops to no less than a quarter full. Replacing a fuel pump is a significant maintenance expense.

2. Eliminate “Shifting Too Soon”

When a vehicle is still moving backward (or forward) and the driver quickly shifts into the opposite gear (Reverse to Drive or vice-versa), they are using the transmission itself to physically stop the vehicle’s momentum.

• The Problem: This subjects the transmission’s bands and clutches to excessive, sudden stress. Over time, this accelerates wear and tear on the most expensive component in the drivetrain.

• The Fix: Train drivers to always bring the vehicle to a complete, full stop before shifting between drive and reverse.

3. Minimize Excessive Braking

Heavy braking is often a symptom of tailgating or aggressive driving, directly leading to increased maintenance costs.

• The Problem: Following too closely or sudden stops wears out brake pads and rotors much faster. Additionally, “riding the brakes” on steep hills generates intense heat, which can warp rotors and cause brake fade.

• The Fix: Enforce adequate following distances. When descending a steep or long incline, train drivers to downshift into a lower gear. This uses engine braking to control speed, saving the friction brakes for necessary slowing or stopping.

4. End Aggressive Starts (“Gunning It”)

Drivers who “punch the gas” from a stop, especially in cold weather, are shortening the life of multiple components.

• The Problem: Aggressive acceleration causes faster, uneven wear on tires and strains the engine and transmission mounts. If the engine is cold, the oil may not be fully dispersed, exacerbating internal engine wear.

• The Fix: Promote smooth, progressive acceleration as standard operating procedure. This not only protects the vehicle but also directly improves fuel economy by avoiding sudden fuel dumps.

5. Mandate Parking Brake Use

Relying solely on the “Park” mechanism in the transmission places undue stress on one small component.

• The Problem: When a vehicle is parked on an incline, the entire weight of the vehicle is resting on a tiny metal pin called the parking pawl inside the transmission. Over time, this stress leads to failure.

• The Fix: Mandate the use of the parking brake every time the vehicle is parked. The proper sequence is: Come to a stop, shift to Neutral, engage the Parking Brake, release the foot brake, and then shift to Park.

6. Control Unnecessary Vehicle Weight

Every extra pound carried by the vehicle degrades efficiency and components.

• The Problem: Excess weight strains the suspension, brakes, and transmission, leading to premature failure of shocks, struts, and tires. It also significantly decreases fuel mileage.

• The Fix: Conduct regular checks to ensure drivers are not storing unnecessary personal items, maintenance tools, or unused equipment (e.g., promotional materials, old signage) in the trunk or cab. Weight reduction directly translates to better MPG.

7. Monitor Clutch Management (Manual Transmissions)

For fleets with manual transmissions, improper clutch usage leads to rapid and expensive clutch plate replacement.

• The Problem: “Riding the clutch” (keeping the pedal partially depressed while waiting at intersections or on hills) causes friction and prematurely burns out the clutch disc.

• The Fix: Train drivers to shift into neutral at all stops and fully release the clutch pedal until they are ready to accelerate.

We hope this helps you get the most efficiency from your company’s fleet! Learn about commercial auto insurance here.