11 Subtle Everyday Habits That DESTROY Your Car

Summary

This video is not a product review. Mechanic and host Josh lists 11 everyday habits that, in his experience, can cause avoidable wear or expensive repairs.

The 11 Habits and What to Do Instead

1. Riding the brakes down long hills Holding the brakes continuously creates heat, which can warp rotors, damage pads, degrade brake fluid, and cause shuddering, squealing, or grinding. Josh recommends using a lower gear or the car’s manual or sport mode for engine braking. He says transmissions are designed for this, and downshifting on descents is preferable to overheating the brakes.

2. Not checking tire pressure Tires gradually lose air, even when they’re new. Underinflation increases drag, can reduce fuel economy, accelerates tire wear, and adds strain to steering components. Check tire pressure every two to three weeks and inflate to the vehicle’s recommended pressure, usually listed on the door jamb or in the manual. According to Josh, the dashboard warning may not come on until the pressure is substantially low—around 20 PSI.

3. Regularly driving with an almost-empty tank The fuel pump relies on fuel for cooling and lubrication. Repeatedly running very low may cause it to overheat and wear out sooner. Replacing a fuel pump can cost $1,000–$2,000 or more, depending on the car. Josh recommends refueling when the gauge reaches E or the low-fuel light comes on.

4. Topping off the tank after the nozzle clicks Overfilling can send liquid fuel into parts of the EVAP system designed to handle vapor, potentially damaging the charcoal canister and sensors. Josh says the canister alone may cost $200–$800 to replace. Stop when the pump clicks off.

5. Shifting before the car has fully stopped or before the transmission engages Josh identifies three risky habits:

   • Shifting from reverse to drive while still rolling backward
   • Shifting into park while the car is still moving
   • Accelerating before drive or reverse has engaged

These actions can stress transmission components, cause internal friction and heat, or damage the parking pawl. Come to a complete stop before changing direction or selecting park, and give the transmission a moment to engage before accelerating.

1. Letting the car idle for a long time to warm up or cool down Long idling can keep a modern engine in its cold, rich-running warm-up phase, which Josh says may contribute to carbon buildup and cylinder wear. He recommends starting the car, waiting roughly 10–30 seconds, then driving gently rather than idling for 15–30 minutes.

2. Turning the steering wheel while stationary (“dry steering”) Cranking the wheel when the car isn’t moving puts extra strain on the tires and steering system. Turning the wheel while the car is rolling slowly can reduce tire wear and stress on the power-steering pump. Josh cites tire replacement costs of about $600 and says a pump can cost hundreds of dollars.

3. Allowing dirt, salt, and water spots to build up Grime can hold moisture and salt against the car, accelerating corrosion on the exhaust, suspension, and brake lines. Corroded brake lines can leak and cause brake failure. Hard-water spots can also etch paint and clear coat if left untreated. Wash the car, rinse the underbody—especially in salty environments—and remove water spots promptly.

4. Ignoring unfamiliar noises Sounds can be early warnings that a relatively small problem is becoming expensive. Josh’s examples include a squealing belt, a whining power-steering pump, a hissing or whining water pump, and brake-pad squeal. Investigating and repairing issues early may prevent larger failures.

5. Not using the parking brake On an incline, leaving the car’s weight resting on the transmission’s parking pawl can make shifting out of park difficult and put unnecessary strain on the transmission. Regular use also helps keep the parking-brake mechanism from seizing. Josh’s recommended sequence is: stop with the foot brake, shift to park, set the parking brake, then release the foot brake.

6. Leaving the car unused for a long time A parked car can still deteriorate. The battery may go flat within weeks to a month; tires may develop flat spots or dry rot; rotors may rust; wheel bearings may corrode; and fuel can degrade or contribute to fuel-system problems. In cold climates, condensation in a partially full tank may also promote rust. Josh recommends having someone drive the car every few weeks.

Overall Verdict

The video’s main recommendation is to adopt simple preventive habits: check tire pressure, use proper braking and shifting practices, refuel without overfilling, pay attention to noises, keep the car clean, use the parking brake, and periodically drive vehicles that would otherwise sit. Josh presents these as low-effort ways to reduce premature wear and potentially avoid costly repairs. No formal product ratings or numerical scores are given.

Speaker Perspective

Josh, the sole speaker, bases the advice on his experience working on cars. He frames the guidance around avoiding repair bills and helping viewers maintain or work on their own vehicles.