25 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO TO YOUR NEW CAR IN 2024 // MAKE YOUR CAR LAST A LIFETIME

Engineer explains 25 things you should never do to your new, modern cars - if you want to make them last a lifetime. David Chao provides lots of practical advice in this fascinating video that covers everything from keeping your paint fresh to making your powertrain last a long long time. David also explains what you should DO to make your car last a long, long time.

Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).

David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

[MRDDev]

Imagine a collab between David and Mr. Car Care nut. The Toyota internet would explode.

[johneverett]

I’m retired now but was in the auto industry for 42 years, these tips have a lot of value. For vehicles that aren’t used regularly a trickle/battery maintenance charger is very important, especially in cold climates. A fully charged battery can survive down to -40*f but a discharged or dead battery can freeze at 32*f destroying its internal structure. It will never come back. So get a charger made for colder climates. 😊

[seethingsclearlyawaken]

This young man has so much good information. In my opinion, the most important item he lists is checking your tire pressures, making sure you do this every first of the month. So important.

[dsonyay]

Genuine parts are not OEM.

OEM parts are made by makers that supply genuine parts to a manufacturer. OEM parts can be great, but they are not Genuine. I work for an OEM manufacturer..: we make parts for different automakers to their specs. We also sell the nearly same parts we make for the automaker to places like Autozone (as OEM of course). OEM does not equal Genuine.

Example: Genuine BMW filter can be made by Mahle. The filter you buy at the dealership will be labeled as BMW it is very specific in terms of QC and specs. The OEM filter Majle makes might look the same, but will likely differ QC and materials slightly.
If you want to save a couple of bucks, go online and buy a Mahle filter- they will make nearly the same exact filter that fits same car with minor or no differences. The Mahle filter will be OEM at the point. Original Equipment Manufacturer. There is a difference.

[ogysqwi]

David's advice is detailed and practical, and can help car owners use their cars safely for a million miles without investing a lot of money.

[ronaldlie]

Never knew about the jeans and air freshener. Thanks for the video.

[billyounger]

I used to park my 69 GMC pickup under the apple tree in our yard and me and my kids would climb on the hood and roof of the truck to pick apples! Never dented anything!! Try that with a new truck!! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[Driver]

Great video, here are some of my notes:
22:00 Some aftermarket companies produce OEM parts for manufacturers. In that case, you are just paying a markup for a rebrand. I prefer to use OEM parts where tolerances are more unforgiving, like the serpentine belt which using aftermarket may squeal. Same with the timing belt tensioner, idler pulleys, etc. If it’s a radio, then it does not matter if it’s aftermarket IMO. Knowing when it is acceptable to use aftermarket is a good balance between cost and reliability because OEM parts add up FAST.


23:00 Buy a reputable trickle battery charger, ideally with overcharge protection. Sometimes, overcharging shows as corrosion on the positive terminal. At least on my car it did.

29:30 The average driver does not have the skills to out drive their bone stock car. Mod the driver first (autocross, drag, HPDE or other driver improvement education), then mod the car after.

[breaker]

All smart and common sense advice - thanks - especially for the early oil changes and the care of driving for the first 1, 000 klms - I also advise changing oil after first 1, 000 klms (as tiny micro metal bits break off when running in (I saw them when changing the oil myself after 1, 000 klms). I also agree on OEM wipers! Yes! NEVER USE A CAR WASH ! And use sofy brushes when washing and rinse brushes regular in a separate bucket of clean water. PS NO engine cleaning on hybris cars - too much power running through some cables & wires!

[MrRensan]

Your advice is valuable especially if you want to keep your car for a long time. Great video highly recommended.

[danriley]

Excellent video! Everything point you make are words to live by if you intend to get the most life from your vehicle!

[Aleksandarix]

You are absolutely right about OEM wipers! I've had my Ford Fusion for 10 years and that's all I've used. However, OEM parts being better is not always the case. TIRES are the opposite... Always buy quality aftermarket. I've got item 26 for you to keep your car longer: don't crash it! 😊

[haptics]

Put on your seatbelt, turn on your car, adjust settings if needed, put in to drive. Drive slowly till you get out to main road. When temp gauge start to move, your car is warmed up. When you get off main road coming home slow down you should be in the neighborhood with 30 mph speed limit anyway. You should be cold down when you arrive home.

[elsaandnoah]

Excellent video! Very good to know, thank you Dave!

[timmiller]

EXCELLENT video and subject area! Thank you 👍

[danong]

Good advice, thanks for sharing this David!

[raycordero]

As always, the Engineering side point of view. What I love! Arigato gozaimasu!

[matwx]

Very useful, David. Thank you & God bless.

[samueltan]

Thank you for the tips that you provided here in your video.

[Stixenterprise]

For bird poo, simply wet a paper towel, drain excess water, fold it, and place on the poo for 20-30 minutes, leave longer if super dry in hot, summer climate. 😊