Hybrid cars promise better fuel economy, lower emissions, and less time spent at the gas station. But there’s a common concern among drivers: if a hybrid constantly switches its gas engine on and off, could that actually cause more wear and tear than driving a conventional car?

 

The answer is more complicated than you might think. Electric motors can reduce the workload on a hybrid’s gasoline engine, particularly in stop-and-go traffic. However, frequent starts, short trips, and oil that never gets fully warmed up can create their own challenges.