‘Did You Know?:’ Woman Doesn’t Drive Her Kia for 3 Weeks. Then She Sees What Happened to It

"Your first problem, it’s a KIA."

Photo by: Unsplash.com

By: Stacy Fernandez

Jul 25, 2025 at 5:00am ET

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Most car owners drive their vehicle on a daily or at least weekly basis. But what happens when you leave it sitting for weeks on end?

This woman found out the hard way; now she’s issuing a PSA.

While leaving your car unmoved for a few days is unlikely to have any long-term negative effects, leaving it idle for too long can have more severe consequences than you may think.

Kia Gone Wrong

In a viral video with more than 285,000 views, content creator Shaghana Doyle (@shagisabadword) shares her shock at learning this about her Kia.

“Did you know if you don’t drive your car for long periods of time, it will rust? And it can happen in as little as three weeks,” Doyle said.

Doyle, unfortunately, found this out after leaving her car idle for an extended period of time.

Despite this, Doyle’s Kia isn’t a lost cause.

“My Kia is fine. Actually more than fine. It was making a weird noise and I thought it was the brakes, but apparently some rust got on the brakes. the mechanic told me to drive my car more,” Shagisa shared in the caption.

Here’s What Else Can Happen If You Don’t Drive Your Car

Even if you need to take a break from using your car, experts say you (or someone you trust) should take it for a short spin at least every two to three weeks, J.D. Power reported.

It can be as simple as driving for at least 10 miles, and try to include some highway time in that.

“The short drive will do plenty to keep your vehicle running correctly,” J.D. Power says.

Here are some things that can happen if you don’t heed this advice:

Battery dies: A parked car slowly drains its battery, and trying to start it after weeks can completely flatten it. You might need a jump or full replacement.
Tires lose shape or pressure: Tires deflate faster when stationary and can develop flat spots from the vehicle’s weight, leading to a bumpy ride or unsafe handling.
Fluids go stale: Oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid degrade over time without movement, which can reduce their effectiveness and cause internal wear.
Fuel goes bad: Gasoline starts breaking down after 30 days, potentially clogging your fuel system and harming engine performance.
Critters move in: Rodents and insects often nest in unused cars, chewing wires, building nests, and leaving behind costly damage.
Exterior takes a hit: Tree sap, bird droppings, and moisture can damage your paint and cause rust if the car is left exposed outdoors.
EV batteries still degrade: Electric vehicles may lose up to 1% battery per day when idle, and some need to stay plugged in to maintain battery health.