Top 10 Car Myths (Part 1 of 4)
Here are common misconceptions on driving perpetuated by history, the media and or just plain dumb analysis. This ranges from bad maintenance advice to mistaken safety tips. Here are 10 common myths to watch out for.
#1 - Change oil every 3,000 miles. Don’t waste money on changing your motor oil with not much added benefits. Various service stations advertised the 3,000-mile oil change for years. And why wouldn’t they, they would earn more the more you get their service.
Modern vehicles generally recommend oil changes every 7,500 miles — more than twice the distance those service station warn you about. Some may last as long as 15,000 miles, though that’s probably stretching it. The best advice is to follow the recommended schedule in your car’s owner’s manual. If you often tow trailers or drive in stop-and-go traffic or extreme weather conditions, then change the oil more frequently.
#2 - Vehicles require regular fuel benefit from a tank of premium gasoline once in a while. Years ago, leaded gas and high-compression engines demanded the occasional tank of premium gas, which included detergents to clean out fuel injectors. Today, the most oil companies require detergents in every grade of gas. Stick with your vehicle’s recommended octane level and you’re sure to get the adequate detergents to keep your fuel system clean; 87, 89 and 92 correspond to regular, midgrade and premium gas, respectively.
Some gas companies put extra detergents in their premium grade, which might warrant an experimental tank or two to determine whether or not there’s improved performance. Many premium-grade “improvements” are just marketing gimmicks, so do your research. Before experimenting, ask yourself if you really need premium gas. Has your engine’s performance significantly deteriorated? A tank of premium might seem necessary, but realize you might be masking a more serious problem. It’s often best to follow your owner’s manual.