Every car owner has heard about best practices to keep their car in good working condition. Whether the advice is coming from friends, family, or even the dealership, you should investigate further. Several of the maintenance tips for fuel efficiency, vehicle longevity, and engine condition are not true.
We will tell you about some of the debunked car maintenance tips that you should be wary of, so you can make more well-informed decisions about car care.
10 Debunked Car Maintenance Tips You Should Know
Here are the debunked car maintenance tips you should know. You might be surprised that some of these tips are actually false.
1. You need to change the engine oil every 3,000 miles
This was true at one point in time. Many oil companies, lube shops, and mechanics continue pushing this idea. Most modern cars made over the last ten years or so require oil changes after every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Several factors can affect the ideal interval between oil changes. While there’s nothing wrong with changing your car’s engine oil early, you are just spending more than necessary on its maintenance.
2. Premium fuel always improves your car’s performance
Unless your vehicle comes with a high performance and high compression engine that’s hotter than most other vehicles, normal gasoline will work just fine. Typically, cars that require more expensive and premium fuel cost more to buy. If you have an average-priced vehicle, average gasoline is better. You should not waste money on premium fuel.
3. Vehicle servicing at independent repair shops voids your warranty
Your car’s warranty does not depend on where you service your vehicle. It will be valid until it expires. Dealerships tend to imply that you can only go to them, but requiring you to take your car exclusively to them for servicing is illegal. However, you should not take it to just any service and repair shop. Go to someone you can trust to do a good job.
4. You should warm up your engine before driving when it is cold
All engines require warming up to operate completely. However, starting your car and leaving it on idle to warm it up is practically useless. Modern engines warm up much faster when you are driving the car. Your car’s transmission and wheel bearings also need movement to warm up.
5. You should wash your car with laundry soap
It might seem like a simple idea to wash your car with dish or laundry soap. Many people who have had cars for several years still do this. However, you should not use just any soap. The car-wash liquid is designed to protect your car’s wax finish. Dish soap and detergent can damage the wax finish and contribute to the paint chipping off. Car-wash liquid cleans the car without removing the protective wax.
6. Replace all four tires at the same time
Another debunked car maintenance tip is that you need to replace all four tires at the same time. However, you can replace individual tires whenever you need them, provided that they are the same model, size, and brand as the other three tires. You should make sure that you rotate them after every other oil change to prolong their life.
7. The battery will charge after a short time when you drive it after a jumpstart
Suppose you find yourself having to jumpstart your car because the battery has completely drained. In that case, many people believe that a short drive will bring your battery back up to full charge. However, it can take hours of driving to bring a dead battery back to full charge following a jumpstart. We recommend driving around for a few hours to fully recharge your battery following a jumpstart.
8. You should flush the transmission fluid after every 50,000 miles
While many experts also recommend flushing transmission fluid after every 50,000 miles, it is not necessarily true anymore. Most modern vehicles use transmission fluid with a long life. The transmission fluid is designed to last much longer. You can expect it to last 100,000 miles, or even the lifespan of your car. We recommend referring to manufacturer recommendations for transmission fluid flush intervals because it can vary from model to model.
9. Refueling in the morning saves you money on gas
There is a common belief that refueling your car in the morning can help you save money on gas. The idea behind this debunked car maintenance tip is due to physics. Gasoline expands due to heat.
Based on this theory, the fuel pumped in the morning would be cooler, allowing you to get more fuel in your tank for a lower cost. However, gas is always stored underground. It remains safe from substantial temperature changes during the day. To put it in plain words, it does not matter what time you refuel because the amount of fuel you receive will remain the same.
10. Turning off the AC can improve fuel economy
Far too many people believe this debunked car maintenance tip. The truth is that it does not matter whether you have your AC blasting cold air at full speed or all your windows rolled down.
Yes, turning on the AC means that your car uses fuel slightly more quickly. However, rolling down the windows adds wind resistance. Your car may need to burn more fuel to counteract the disruption in its aerodynamics, minimizing the difference.
Need Help With Your Car Maintenance?
These are just some of the several myths surrounding car maintenance best practices. You might think that first-time car owners fall victim to these useless myths, but you would be surprised at how many seasoned car owners also believe them.
If you are unsure about how to manage your car’s maintenance, need an oil change, or simply want a thorough examination of your vehicle to rule out any problems, feel free to contact us. At ATL Columbus, we are the experts that can handle your car maintenance and repairs in Columbus, OH. Feel free to drop by any time.
