The biggest mistake drivers make when starting their car that can ruin it, according to a mechanic

Every day, countless individuals rely on their vehicles to get them to work, school, or errands. The morning routine often involves getting into the car, turning the key or pressing the start button, and immediately shifting into gear to drive away. This common habit—moving the car within just a few seconds of starting the engine—is driven by a desire to save time and get moving quickly.

However, according to experienced mechanics and auto maintenance experts, this seemingly harmless act of impatience can actually cause significant, long-term harm to the engine. What feels like saving a few moments of time each morning can, over the span of months and years, gradually “shorten the life of the engine.”

Understanding the Engine’s Need for Oil

To understand why this quick start-and-drive approach is risky, we must look at the role of engine oil. After a vehicle has been sitting for an extended period—such as overnight—the engine’s oil is no longer circulating. Instead, it has settled down into the oil pan at the bottom of the engine.

When the driver starts the car, the oil pump begins working. It takes time for this pump to push the thick lubricant through all the narrow passages and channels to reach every critical component. Most experts agree that the engine needs approximately 30 to 40 seconds for the oil to fully circulate and provide complete protection to the moving parts.

If a driver “shifts into gear immediately,” those internal components—like pistons, cylinders, and bearings—start moving at a high speed before the full protective layer of oil is in place.

The Hidden Impact: Friction and Wear

When metal parts move against other metal parts without proper lubrication, the result is damaging friction. This doesn’t cause the engine to instantly break down, but it creates microscopic scratches and wear spots that slowly but surely accumulate. This buildup of minor damage leads to real, mechanical wear that compromises the engine’s performance and structural integrity over time.

In one example shared from “a mechanic’s workshop,” the real-world evidence of this destructive habit was clear. An engine that belonged to a driver who consistently started and drove off right away had main bearings so worn that they required complex and expensive repair work, including “precision grinding and replacement.” This incident serves as a clear warning that this damage is not theoretical—it is “a repair both costly and avoidable.”

The Simple, Enduring Advice

The good news is that preventing this damage is extremely easy. The “advice from experts is simple and enduring,” focusing on patience and preparation:

• Wait for Circulation: “Give your car half a minute of patience before you move,” especially during colder weather. Allow the oil to fully circulate and warm slightly.

• Drive Gently: For the first few miles, “avoid sudden acceleration until the temperature stabilizes.” Driving smoothly at lower speeds lets the entire drivetrain and all fluids reach their optimal operating temperature gradually.

This simple, short pause—which is practically “invisible in a busy day”—is a powerful form of preventative maintenance. It can successfully “prevent years of damage and thousands in repairs.” Ultimately, giving your car a moment to prepare before demanding performance is a valuable practice—a “quiet reminder” that whether we consider “how we treat our machines or ourselves,” true “endurance grows from respect for beginnings, from letting things warm before asking them to perform.”