4 Most Ridiculous Car Myths That Surprise Most Drivers
Most car owners think that they know their cars. And, this knowledge comes either from what our father told us, or what our friends chatter about before you are about to buy a new car. Isn’t it? Even if you buy a pre-owned car, your friends will actually give you a lot of advice. What they don’t know is that they could actually be believing in some of the most ridiculous car myths. The truth is that what we know of our beasts is half truth and half myth. And, these myths could very well cost us money, mostly when the car is due for service. So here are the top 4 of them, in which most of us believe and lose money on.
4 of the Most Ridiculous Car Myths
Here is some inside industry knowledge for you that can, indeed, enlighten you. Let’s begin with the 4 worst myths and bust them right here.
#1 Myth – Changing Oil Every 3,000-5,000 Miles
Are we in the 70s or what? Changing oil every 3000-5000 miles was the norm with the old cars; the really old ones, like in 1970s. The technology was still evolving way back then; the engines weren’t as sophisticated as they are now. Over these decades, technology has come a long way and this limit has come far ahead. Synthetic oils that can last up to 15,000 miles have been in the market for years now.
For most cars built post 2010, the minimum limit stays 7,500 miles, though there are some advanced ones that could go as high up as 20,000 miles. So, check it with your manufacturer.
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# 2 Myth – Getting Engine Tune-ups Often
Are you still getting your car engine tuned up every six months because if you don’t the engine will explode? Well, you are taken in by the myth then.
In an age when engines are controlled by computers, there is actually no tune-up you can do for the engine. With the sophistication in the science of engines, all you can check now during a service is if the spark plugs and the air filter need replacement.
It is, though, a great idea to let a mechanic take a look at the engine bay every 50,000 miles, just to make sure that everything is in its place. Don’t let anyone fool you into a tune up, unless you have an ancient car. You might need it in that case. For the rest, the engine computer can manage the day-to-day maintenance.
# 3 Myth – Idling the Engine before Driving
Come on, that’s what you do every morning. Don’t you? They say it’s important to warm up the engine before driving, especially on cold mornings, else the engine will slowly self-destruct.
As long as you are not flooring your car, driving without warming up the engine is totally fine. In fact, flooring could be one of the bad habits that are killing your car. Well, let’s understand it this way – some parts do take some time to warm up. However, it is the same whether you are idling the engine or drive. The engine is producing power anyway. So why not use it to drive rather than waste. Also, there are parts like transmission and wheel bearings that do not warm up till you drive. Most modern cars offer you that. So, unless you own a vintage car, you don’t need to warm up the engine.
# 4 Myth – Winterizing the Car
What is it? Your Wardrobe?
People say that you winterize your car for the brutal whether that is around the corner – change tires, oils and the fuzzy dice. Lol! Well, not all they say is true.
All that you may need to do for the winter is put on the winter tires and adjust the pressure accordingly. Period.
Engine oil as it is now, is made for all seasons. Its viscosity, if we talk of the times by gone, used to be not that dynamic. This is why you needed a different oil for the summer and a more viscous oil for the winter. Now, this isn’t the case anyway.
So, before you follow the free advice that comes from all quarters, make sure you read the science behind it.
