Tesla owner rents a gas car and gets humbled: 'Tesla has made me a bad driver'The Cool DownWyatt FischerSun, September 20, 2026 at 9:27 PM UTCAdd us on GooglePhoto Credit: iStockAfter renting a gas-powered car while on a trip, one Tesla owner realized how valuable the simple differences truly are. Getting used to a gas-powered car after using an EV can apparently feel a bit like stepping back in time.For the driver, a vacation in a rental car underscored how deeply Tesla-style routines had replaced older driving habits.Here's what to knowPosting in Reddit's r/TeslaLounge community, the Tesla owner described the awkward reset of returning to an internal combustion engine vehicle.AdvertisementAdvertisement"I found myself doing one pedal driving thinking I'd save on gas but also for [braking]!!!" the original poster wrote.Parking was also different in the rental car. Instead of shutting everything down and securing the car, the poster said they left "the keys in the ignition and the engine and AC running" and walked off, assuming the doors would lock on their own.Their conclusion: "Tesla has made me a bad driver."Another user said it is one of those changes that's difficult to appreciate until you've lived with it yourself."It felt weird at first just getting in your car and then getting out and leaving it," the commenter wrote. "After a year, it's amazing how free I feel, free of losing my keys, free of having to turn a key or push a button, while it seems like such a small thing, have a phone key and a credit card key inside my wallet means I literally don't need keys anymore."More backgroundFeatures such as one-pedal driving, phone-as-key access, and walk-away locking are part of the EV ownership experience.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn Teslas, regenerative braking slows the vehicle when the driver lifts off the accelerator. The poster explained that they were used to using regenerative braking as a way to slow down, and one-pedal driving was normal to them."My house keys are in the console [because] I never need to use them. It's so great never having to carry keys around, just need my phone," one commenter wrote.In an EV, simply parking and walking away can feel natural, but in a vehicle that must still be switched off and locked manually, that same reflex can cause problems.What can be done?Convenience features such as one-pedal driving, phone keys, and automatic locking can change how a car fits into daily life.AdvertisementAdvertisementGetting used to a feature-packed EV can change your habits. If you want to reduce the chances of those habits affecting your rental experience, you can try looking for rental agencies that use EVs. Familiarizing yourself with the rental vehicle in a parking lot or safe area can also be a good step if the rental agency doesn't carry EVs.The EV experience changed the way the original poster drives."It turns out I picked up a lot of bad habits," they wrote.Where can I learn more?These stories look at Tesla ownership, EV charging setups, and the costs and habits of driving electric.• A Tesla driver sparked scrutiny after a cheap, at-home alternative for charging online.AdvertisementAdvertisement• One homeowner used 900W of portable panels to cover EV charging without roof solar.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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