Car Maintenance Myths
Car care is not as straightforward as you may think. There are a lot of advice and so-called best practices floating around. While some are true and helpful, others are just myths, if not wrong and even harmful to your car and put your safety at risk. This guide will clear out some of the most common car maintenance myths you often hear and the truth behind them.
Key Takeaways
- Discover common car maintenance myths, such as using premium fuel and warming up the engine before driving.
- Learn about when to change your engine oil and choosing the right pressure level when inflating tires.
- In this guide, learn about when to replace your car battery and what the “check engine” light means.
Common Car Maintenance Myths
As part of our vehicle maintenance guides, it is crucial to know the common myths about car maintenance so you know the best way to extend your car’s lifespan.
Myth 1: Warm-up Your Car Before Driving, Always
Truth: This is the best example of technology outpacing conventional wisdom. Unless you are driving a vintage carburetor car that’s been around since the 1980s, you can skip this part. Modern engines are engineered to work efficiently without the need to warm up for 10 to 15 minutes; they can warm up as you drive. Sure, in winter, you need to let the fluids run for a minute or two, but anything more than that is just a waste of gas and money.
Bottom Line: Start your car, wait a few seconds to a minute, then start driving.
Myth 2: If You Want Your Car To Run Better, Use Premium Fuel
Truth: The premium and non-premium labels of fuel refer to their octane rating. This is the fuel’s ability to resist “pinging” or “knocking” during combustion. Octane ratings are shown as 87, 89, or 91. The higher the rating, the more resistant the fuel is to knocking. Unless your car manufacturer specified in the manual that it needs a higher octane rating (such as in high-performance cars), it will not make a difference in your engine’s performance and efficiency. Most cars can work just fine with the regular gas.
Bottom Line: Save your money, and use regular fuel.
Myth 3: Change Your Engine Oil Every 3,000 Miles
Truth: This is another classic example of outdated practices thwarted by technology. Modern cars and engine oils are designed to last longer than 3,000 miles. Premium synthetic oils can go 5,000 to even more than 10,000 miles. This varies by the make and model of the car, the manufacturer’s recommendation, your driving habits, and the engine oil you use.
Moreover, some newer car models have an oil-life monitoring system that uses algorithms and sensors to tell you when to change your engine oils.
Bottom Line: Refer to your car manufacturer’s manual and check the oil level and quality.
Myth 4: Inflate Your Tires Based On The Tire Pressure Listed On Its Sidewalls
Truth: The tire pressure you see on the tire’s sidewalls refers to the maximum pressure the tire can hold. It’s not the recommended tire pressure. And you don’t want to put your tires on the maximum tire pressure it can hold because that can be dangerous, especially at high speeds.
The right tire pressure can vary based on the driving you need to do with your vehicle, terrain, load, and the handling characteristics you prefer for your car. Typically, car tire pressure ranges from 30 to 35.
Bottom Line: Follow the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. You can find this on the owner’s manual or the door tag of your vehicle.
Myth 5: Replace Punctured Tires
Truth: You can expect random sharp objects like nails and screws in busy areas with lots of construction, and these things can puncture your tires. The good news is that you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to replace them each time they get punctured.
Bottom Line: You can have punctures 1/4 inch in diameter and multiple punctures 16 inches apart patched. However, if the whole is more than 1/4 inch or is located on the sidewall, cuts, or severe damages such as tread separation, then you need to replace your tires.
Myth 6: No Need To Replace Your Power Steering Fluid
Truth: Like other fluids in your car, the power steering fluid degrades over time. It collects contaminants and gets dirty, making it less effective. Dirty and contaminated power steering fluid can cause problems with the power steering system, which can lead to extensive problems that require expensive repairs and replacements.
Bottom Line: Check the quality of your car’s steering fluid. In most cases, you need to replace them every 50,000 miles.
Myth 7: Car Batteries Last As Long As Your Car
Truth: Car batteries’ lifespan is way shorter than that of your car, as they usually only last three to five years. The quality of the battery, your driving habits, and the weather in your area can all affect the battery’s lifespan. A low-powered battery can strain other components in your vehicle, making them work harder than they should. Thus, don’t wait for it to fail before you replace it.
Bottom Line: Replace your batteries every couple of years or as needed.
Myth 8: Check Engine Light Is Not A Big Deal, You Can Ignore It
Truth: Check engine lights are activated for a reason. If it’s on, then an issue in your vehicle must be addressed. While issues like the goose gas cap may activate it, it could also be an alerting you of bigger problems. Take your car to your trusted mechanic or use a diagnostic tool (such as an OBD scanner) to find out what caused the Check Engine light to activate.
Bottom Line: Never ignore your car’s check engine light; find out what is causing it as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Car maintenance is about being informed. While some old car maintenance tips and practices are wise, many can be outdated, if not downright wrong and harmful. The best thing you can do is read your owner’s manual or ask your trusted mechanic for proper car maintenance. Moreover, make sure to stay consistent with your routine check-ups.
FAQs on Car Maintenance Myths
What is the most neglected car maintenance?
The most common car maintenance tasks that are neglected include oil changes and brake inspections. Specifically, they are not checked as frequently as they should be.
What is the most important maintenance for a car?
All maintenance tasks are important. Even the smallest components must be properly taken care of and maintained as it can impact the overall performance of your vehicle. Therefore, you should never underestimate these maintenance tasks, no matter how big or small.
