Most cars do not wear out from one dramatic event. They wear out gradually, from the same small habits repeated every day. The good news is that the driving habits that hurt your car are usually easy to change once you know about them, and changing them saves wear on brakes, tires, the engine and the transmission. Here are the common ones, along with simple alternatives. If some of them sound familiar and the car is already showing symptoms, an engine and vehicle diagnostic check can tell you whether any damage has been done.
Habits that wear the engine
Lots of very short trips
An engine that never fully warms up does not get a chance to boil off moisture and fuel that collect in the oil. Repeated short errands can lead to sludge, a weaker battery and faster exhaust corrosion. You cannot always avoid short trips, but combining errands into one longer drive helps, and if most of your driving is short hops, ask whether your owner’s manual’s severe-service schedule applies.
Hard driving on a cold engine
Right after a cold start, oil is thicker and has not reached every surface yet. Revving the engine or accelerating hard in the first few miles adds wear. Drive gently until the temperature gauge comes up to normal. Long idling to warm up is usually unnecessary on modern cars.
Ignoring warning lights
A check engine light that stays on for months can hide a second problem that shows up later. A misfire left alone can damage the catalytic converter. Have lights read and diagnosed, even if the car seems to drive normally.
Running the tank close to empty
Many fuel pumps sit inside the tank and use the surrounding gasoline to help stay cool. Making a habit of running on fumes adds strain on the pump.
Habits that wear brakes and tires
Late, hard braking
Racing up to a red light and stopping hard turns more energy into heat in your brakes than a gradual stop. It wears pads and rotors faster and can contribute to rotor vibration. Looking farther ahead and easing off the gas early is gentler on the brakes and on fuel. Our article on how to make brake pads last longer has more ideas, and if your stops already feel rough or noisy, have the brakes inspected.
Riding the brakes downhill
Holding light brake pressure all the way down a long hill heats the pads, rotors and fluid. On a long grade, a lower gear lets the engine help slow the car so the brakes can cool between uses.
Ignoring tire pressure
Underinflated tires flex more, run hotter, wear the edges faster and hurt fuel economy. Check pressure monthly using the numbers on the sticker inside the driver’s door, not the maximum printed on the tire. Pressure drops as temperatures fall, so autumn mornings often bring a tire pressure light.
Hitting potholes and curbs
Not every pothole can be avoided, but slowing down before one you cannot steer around reduces the impact on tires, wheels and alignment.
Habits that wear the transmission and drivetrain
- Shifting into park or reverse while still rolling. Come to a full stop first.
- Resting on the parking pawl on hills. Set the parking brake before shifting into park so the car’s weight sits on the brake rather than the transmission.
- Riding the clutch in a manual car, or holding the car on a hill with the clutch instead of the brake.
- Pulling a trailer or hauling more than the vehicle is rated for. Your owner’s manual lists the limits.
Habits that let small problems grow
- Turning up the radio to drown out a new noise.
- Topping off fluids repeatedly without finding out where they are going.
- Skipping scheduled maintenance because the car seems fine.
- Carrying heavy loads in the trunk that never come out.
Following the maintenance schedule is the easiest habit of all to adopt. If you are not sure what is due, our guide to recommended vehicle service intervals is a good place to start, along with your owner’s manual.
Have your car checked in Hermitage
If a few of these habits sound familiar and you want to know how your car is holding up, Music City Auto Repair can look it over and explain what we find before any work starts. Request an appointment online or call 615-600-5994.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to shift into park before the car has completely stopped?
Yes. Shifting into park while the car is still rolling forces a small locking pin in the transmission to engage against motion, which can damage it over time. Come to a full stop with your foot on the brake, then shift into park.
Does revving a cold engine help it warm up faster?
No. Oil is thicker when cold and takes a moment to reach every part, so high revs right after a cold start add wear. Most modern engines warm up fine with a short idle followed by gentle driving for the first few miles. Check your owner's manual for any specific guidance.
Can resting my hand on the shifter hurt a manual transmission?
It can. The weight of your hand can push the shift linkage lightly against internal parts that are only meant to touch briefly during a shift, which may add wear over time. Keep your hand on the wheel and on the shifter only when you are changing gears.
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