Your car is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s an extension of your style and personality! But it’s easy to unknowingly damage your ride with a few common missteps. From quirky cleaning habits to questionable DIY fixes, here are 20 surprising ways people ruin their cars and how you can avoid costly repairs.

Ignoring Dashboard Lights

Those little warning lights aren’t there for decoration. If a light pops on, your car is asking for help. Ignoring it can lead to much bigger issues. For instance, disregarding an oil light could mean engine trouble, and leaving the “check engine” light on might cost you thousands down the road. Don’t skip a check-up!

Overloading Your Car

Overloading your car with too many passengers or heavy items puts immense strain on the suspension, brakes, and tires, which can lead to lasting damage. Rather than pushing your car’s limits, consider renting a truck or making multiple trips to preserve its health and avoid costly repairs.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Products

While it seems like an easy solution, household cleaners can be too harsh for your car’s paint and interior materials. For example, window cleaners with ammonia can damage tints and leather upholstery. Stick to car-safe products designed for paint, upholstery, and trim to keep everything looking like new.

Ignoring Tire Pressure

Under or over-inflated tires don’t just wear out faster; they can also put you at risk on the road. Low pressure increases your chances of a blowout, while over-inflation can reduce traction. Check your tire pressure at regular intervals and keep it within the recommended range to avoid a bumpy (and risky) ride.

Slamming on Brakes Constantly

Riding the brakes down hills or in stop-and-go traffic? You’re not doing them any favors. Heavy braking wears down your brake pads and puts extra stress on the brake system. Instead, try coasting to slow down when possible and give your brakes a break to extend their lifespan.

Leaving Your Car Sitting for Too Long

A car left unused for weeks isn’t doing any favors for its health. Batteries drain, fluids settle, and parts start to seize. Even if you’re not using it daily, try to drive around for a few miles every week to keep everything in working order. Your car will thank you with a smoother ride!

Skipping Oil Changes

Oil is your engine’s lifeblood, helping it run smoothly and cool down. When you put off an oil change, be ready for the sludge build-up. It will reduce your engine’s efficiency and potentially cause a breakdown. Hence, changing the oil on schedule is a small cost that saves you from a massive repair bill later.

Driving on Empty

Constantly driving with a near-empty tank isn’t just a gamble with running out of gas; it also wears out the fuel pump faster. Debris from the tank can get into the fuel lines and cause engine trouble. Try to keep at least a quarter tank to avoid unexpected roadside drama and expensive repairs.

Using Water Instead of Coolant

Water in your radiator can work in a pinch. But remember: it’s a short-term solution that might damage your cooling system down the road. So, always use the correct coolant mix to keep your engine happy, as coolant has special properties that water lacks, like protecting against corrosion and regulating temperature.

DIY Mods Without Research

Customizing your car can be fun, though it’s easy to mess things up. If you install aftermarket parts without knowing what they’ll do to your car’s systems, you might face issues like poor performance or electrical problems. Do some research or consult a pro before adding that spoiler or fancy stereo.

Riding the Clutch

If you drive a manual, avoid holding the clutch pedal down for too long at stops. This habit wears down your clutch plate, leading to a pricey replacement. When you stop, pop into neutral and take your foot off the clutch. It’s a small shift that can save big bucks on repairs.

Washing with Dish Soap

Dish soap might clean dishes, but it’s too harsh for your car’s paint. It strips off protective wax and can make your paint job look dull over time. Instead, use car shampoo designed for automotive paint to keep your car gleaming without damage.

Ignoring Strange Noises

That weird squeak, rattle, or thud? It’s usually a warning. Ignoring strange sounds might mean you’re overlooking a problem that’s growing more serious by the mile. When you hear something odd, get it checked out. Small fixes are way cheaper than letting a little noise turn into a major repair.

Driving Over Potholes Like They’re Nothing

Hitting potholes at full speed can wreck your suspension, mess up your alignment, and even blow out a tire. Slow down when you see one coming up! Your car’s tires, rims, and suspension will last longer, and your passengers will thank you for the smoother ride.

Using Cheap Gas on a High-Performance Car

Some cars are made to run on premium fuel. If your owner’s manual recommends it, using regular gas can lead to engine knocking, reduced power, and other issues. Sure, premium gas costs more, but in a high-performance car, it keeps the engine running the way it’s meant to.

Forgetting About the Parking Brake

For manual and automatic cars alike, using the parking brake is essential, especially on hills. Relying solely on “Park” puts all the strain on the transmission instead of the brakes. Over time, this can cause unnecessary wear. Set the parking brake to keep your transmission in better shape.

Accelerating Aggressively

Quick acceleration consumes more fuel, causes faster tire wear, and puts unnecessary strain on your engine. Meanwhile, smooth, steady acceleration keeps your car’s components in better shape and saves gas, too. It’s better to give the pedal a gentle press—you’ll get there almost as fast, and your car will thank you.

Driving Through Deep Water

Flooded streets can look deceptively shallow, but even a few inches can flood your engine and ruin electronics. Water damage is often irreversible and not covered by insurance. So, when in doubt, take an alternate route or wait it out. Your engine will stay dry, and you’ll avoid a big repair bill.

Not Cleaning Bird Droppings Promptly

There’s acid in bird droppings that eat away at your car’s paint and leave ugly stains. When they stay longer, it makes things worse. Keep a quick detailer or spray bottle in your car so you can wash them off ASAP. A quick clean saves you from expensive paint repairs down the line.

Ignoring Routine Maintenance

Regular maintenance may seem like a chore because it is, but skipping it can lead to problems you’ll regret. Skipping checks on fluids, belts, or filters can cause breakdowns or costly repairs. Treat your car to scheduled maintenance—it’s like a spa day for your vehicle, and it’ll reward you with reliability.