I’ve never considered myself the kind of person who’s “bad with cars.” I get my oil changed. I keep an emergency kit in the trunk. I don’t ignore weird noises—okay, not for more than a week.
But even with those good intentions, I’ve made a handful of mistakes that quietly chipped away at my car’s health. Not the kind of mistakes that kill your engine overnight, but the slow, sneaky kind that add up until one day your mechanic looks at you with a face that says, “You didn’t know this could cost you thousands?”
Nope. I didn’t.
So if you’re like me—a regular driver who wants to keep your car running smoothly but doesn’t always have time to deep-dive the owner’s manual—this article is for you. These are seven common habits that many of us do (or skip) that slowly but surely wear down your car. And most of them are easier to fix than you think.
1. You’re Letting Your Oil Change Go “Just a Little Longer”
I hear this one all the time: “I know I’m overdue, but it’s just a few hundred miles…”
Let me tell you something: that “few hundred miles” can be the tipping point between healthy lubrication and metal-on-metal wear.
Modern synthetic oils are great, and yes, they last longer than the old stuff. But even if the oil looks clean on the dipstick, that doesn’t mean it's still doing its job. Oil breaks down. Additives wear out. And when that happens, your engine isn’t protected the way it should be.
The worst I’ve seen? A turbocharged engine that skipped two oil changes. Cost the owner $6,000 in repairs. A $70 oil change could’ve prevented it.
So if you’re thinking, “It’s just a few extra weeks,” stop. Schedule it. Your engine will thank you.
2. You’re Driving With Low Tire Pressure (Or Never Check It at All)
Here’s the thing about tires: you don’t feel them slowly losing pressure until the handling’s already off. And by then, the damage may already be done—not just to your tires, but your alignment, suspension, and fuel efficiency too.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, reduce your MPG, and put extra stress on your suspension—especially struts and shocks. Over time, this can lead to premature failure, which isn't cheap.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that every 1 PSI drop in tire pressure can lower gas mileage by 0.2%. Four tires each 5 PSI low? That’s up to 4% less fuel economy—plus faster tire wear.
Bonus tip: Don’t trust the number on the tire sidewall—that’s the max. Look inside your driver’s door or owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended PSI.
3. You’re Ignoring That Little Flashing Engine Light
Look, I get it. You start the car, the check engine light flashes for a second, then disappears. Or worse—it stays on, but your car feels fine.
Here’s the thing: modern vehicles are good at masking problems—until they’re not.
That blinking light? That’s usually a misfire. Which means fuel isn’t being properly combusted in one or more cylinders. Keep driving like that, and you could be sending raw fuel through your exhaust system, trashing your catalytic converter in the process.
A new converter costs anywhere from $900 to $2,500. Running a diagnostic? About $80. You do the math.
4. You’re “Warming Up” Your Car Like It’s 1995
Unless you drive a carbureted vehicle (which, let’s be honest, you probably don’t), there is zero reason to let your car idle for 10 minutes “to warm it up.”
Modern engines are fuel-injected and computer-controlled. They’re designed to warm up best while being driven—gently, not idling.
Letting your car idle for extended periods:
- Wastes fuel
- Contributes to carbon buildup in the engine
- Dilutes oil with unburned fuel, reducing its effectiveness
- Puts unnecessary strain on your emissions system
Want to take care of your engine in the winter? Start it, wait 30–60 seconds, and drive gently for the first 5–10 minutes. That’s it.
5. You’re Riding the Brakes (Even If You Don’t Realize It)
This one’s subtle, but I’ve seen it ruin perfectly good braking systems—especially in city drivers and folks with hilly commutes.
Riding your brakes wears out pads faster, overheats rotors, and can lead to something called “brake fade,” where the system literally loses stopping power. In some cases, it can even warp your rotors, meaning you’ll feel vibration when you brake—and you’ll be due for an expensive repair.
Good practice: Use engine braking on hills (downshift if you drive manual or use the “L” or “S” mode in automatics), leave space between cars, and apply firm, controlled pressure when braking—not constant light taps.
6. You’re Filling Up With the Wrong Fuel—And No, It’s Not Harmless
“I always put regular in. Premium’s a scam, right?”
Not always.
Here’s the deal: if your owner’s manual says “premium required”, that’s not a suggestion. It means your engine was designed with higher-compression ratios and ignition timing that require higher-octane fuel to avoid knocking (which, over time, can damage pistons, valves, and other expensive components).
If it says “premium recommended”, you can use regular—but you may lose horsepower and fuel efficiency. It won’t destroy the engine, but it’s a trade-off.
Bottom line: use the fuel your car was designed for. Saving 30 cents per gallon doesn’t look so smart when you’re staring down a $1,500 repair bill for damage you could’ve avoided.
7. You’re Skipping Basic Maintenance Because “It’s Not Urgent”
Air filters, spark plugs, transmission fluid, coolant flushes—these aren’t exciting. But they matter more than people realize.
Neglecting this stuff slowly wears down systems. Your engine works harder. Your transmission slips. Your fuel economy tanks. And before you know it, your “still running fine” car suddenly isn’t.
Here’s a trick I give friends: tie your maintenance to mileage or seasons.
- Every 5,000 miles? Check oil, tire pressure, and air filter.
- Every 30,000 miles? Think transmission fluid, spark plugs, coolant check.
- Every season change? Top off fluids, check battery terminals, test your wipers.
It’s not about being obsessive—it’s about being consistent. Cars don’t ask for much. But they do punish neglect.
5 FAQs About What Wears Down Your Car
Q: How long do spark plugs typically last? Most spark plugs last between 30,000 and 100,000 miles depending on the type (copper, platinum, iridium). Check your owner’s manual and don’t wait for a misfire to get them changed.
Q: Is it bad to drive on empty? Yes. Running your car near empty can overheat your fuel pump and cause it to fail prematurely. It also stirs up sediment from the bottom of the tank, which can clog your fuel filter.
Q: Do I really need to rotate my tires? Absolutely. Rotating your tires every 5,000–7,000 miles helps them wear evenly and can extend their life by thousands of miles. It’s cheap insurance for your suspension and wallet.
Q: Should I wash my car even in winter? Yes—especially in winter. Road salt accelerates rust, especially on brake lines and underbody components. Regular washes and undercarriage sprays can extend the life of your car’s frame.
Q: Is it bad to rest your hand on the gear shift? Surprisingly, yes. Resting your hand on the shifter (in manual cars) can wear out the internal shift fork prematurely. Keep both hands on the wheel—your gearbox will thank you.
Your Car Talks. Listen Early, Not Expensively.
If I’ve learned anything from years under the hood, it’s this: cars give you warnings before they give you bills. Little sounds, small changes, subtle vibrations—they’re all signs your vehicle’s trying to tell you something.
So check your oil. Glance at your tire pressure. Get that engine light scanned before it becomes a four-figure repair.
You don’t need to be a mechanic. But a little knowledge goes a long way—especially when you’re trying to make your ride last longer, run smoother, and cost you less grief in the long haul.
Because in my book, “still running” isn’t good enough. Let’s aim for running well.
