Buying and owning a car is one of the most expensive things people have to put up with during their life.

With tax, insurance, MOTs, breakdown cover, petrol and the routine replacement of parts - let alone buying the vehicle in the first place - means it will cost you thousands over the years.

But it turns out we are all guilty of carrying out bad practice when driving which is actually damaging our cars and reducing their, or their part's lifespan.

Below is a list of the most common mistakes we all make, compiled by motoring experts RAC.

Holding the brakes downhill

Holding the break as you move downhill is a costly business as it adds increased wear and tear on brake pads and discs which will need replacing more often as a result.

When travelling downhill, it's recommended you put the car in a low gear, allowing the engine to take the brunt of slowing the car, while also lightly pressing the break.

Resting your hand on the gearstick

Hand resting on a gearshift lever is a big no no

As soon as driving lessons are over, people develop bad habits, such as resting a hand on the gearstick rather than the steering wheel.

But this also causes damage as the gearstick is connected to a selector fork, which is designed to make contact with a rotating collar for a short amount of time.


Some owner’s manuals specifically advise against resting your hand on the gearstick, it's worth checking yours to see if that's the case.

Accelerating hard in a high gear

Simple really, keeping accelerating into high revs when you can shift gear much earlier not only burns more fuel but also provides unnecessary strain to the engine, limiting its life.

Mechanics always recommend keeping at low RPM, but not low enough that shift down a gear is required.

You should also change down and allow the revs to rise before changing up. This is particularly important when carrying heavy loads or when climbing hills.

Overloading your car

Every car has a maximum weight in their manual. Exceeding that means a great strain on your brakes suspension and drivetrain and it will also car's fuel economy.

Shifting from drive to reverse before stopping

Shifting between reverse and drive and vice versa in a car fitted with an automatic gearbox is really bad for the transmission.


Repairing automatic transmissions is very expensive.

It's the same deal for manual cars too, so it's advisable to come to a complete stop before switching in to reverse gear.

Hitting potholes and speed bumps

The pot holes of Bristol Hamstead Road, Arnos Vale Photographer: Jon Kent Reporter: Copyright: Jon Kent/Bristol Post Bristol 2018

Bit of an obvious one really, driving too hard into a solid object, like a big hole or a speedbump and eventually your car won't forgive you.



Neglecting warning lights

You shouldn't really have to be told this one but if your car is telling you something is wrong listen to it.

Some are simple, like running out of washer fluid but others can be more serious and need immediate attention.

It's worth checking your owner's manual to find out what the warning lights on your dashboard mean and familiarising yourself with the most serious ones.

If the following warnings appear on the dashboard, you’re advised to stop and seek help from a garage.

  • Engine/ECU
  • Braking system
  • Power steering failure
  • Airbag
  • Oil pressure
  • Cooling system

Revving the engine when cold

Colder weather is on the way
Colder weather is on the way

While it is an urban myth that regular short journeys is bad for your car because it does not get to warm up properly, it is not the case for revving the engine when it's cold.

This is particularly so in the winter. Allowing it to warm naturally when switched on allows the oil time to warm and circulate around the engine, avoiding potential damage and undue wear and tear.

Riding the clutch

Riding the clutch happens typically when a driver fails to take their foot off the pedal after changing gear, or when attempting to do a hill-start.

Poor clutch control will cause excessive wear, shortening the life of the plate. Make sure your foot has left the clutch pedal – using the off-clutch footrest, if fitted. When performing hill-starts, leave the car in neutral with the handbrake on until you’re ready to move.

Late braking


