Here's why:

* Friction: Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. When tires roll on the road, the surfaces rub against each other.

* Energy Conversion: This rubbing action converts some of the car's kinetic energy (energy of motion) into heat energy.

* Heat Generation: This heat is what you feel in your tires and the road surface, especially when braking or accelerating quickly.

So, while friction might seem like a "loss" of energy in the sense that it slows the car down, it's actually a conversion of energy from one form to another.