What are the behaviors of excessive car maintenance that can damage the vehicle?
2 Answers
Excessive car maintenance behaviors that can damage the vehicle include: 1. Over-washing the paint surface, which can shorten the lifespan of the car paint and even cause the paint to lose its luster when washed under strong sunlight; 2. Polishing and waxing—car wax is essentially a type of abrasive, and polishing wax involves a certain degree of grinding on the car paint to remove minor scratches. Frequent waxing can thin the clear coat on the paint surface, affecting the color and gloss of the paint; 3. Adding too much engine oil during maintenance, which can cause power loss in the engine; the fuel system does not need frequent cleaning. The vehicle requires fuel system cleaning after a certain mileage, but frequent cleaning can cause the cleaning agents to corrode rubber components in the fuel system, leading to leaks.
As a car enthusiast who has learned from past mistakes, I see many car owners over-maintaining their vehicles, often causing more harm than good. The most common example is changing the oil too frequently—manufacturers recommend every 5,000 km or six months, yet some insist on changing it every 2,000 km, believing it better protects the engine. Little do they realize this wastes oil and increases internal wear. Another mistake is excessive car washing and waxing—some wash their cars three or four times a week and aggressively apply polishing agents just to keep them shiny, only to thin the paint, cause fading, or even rust over time. Then there’s the use of questionable additives, marketed as performance boosters, which actually contaminate the engine or clog fuel lines. Some owners panic at minor issues, prematurely replacing tires or brake pads, thinking they’re protecting the car when they’re just over-intervening, shortening the parts’ lifespan instead. In short, over-maintenance not only burns money but accelerates aging—just follow the manual.
