As a car owner, you have probably heard different things about car maintenance – from how often you need to service it to how best to use the vehicle’s air conditioning. But whatever you heard may not always be true. Let’s explore some of the most common car myths and the truths behind them.
Common Car Myths You Should Stop Believing
Read on to find out some of the most dangerous and common car myths debunked:
Transmission fluid needs to be flushed out
Several mechanics recommend transmission fluid change as often as every 80,000 km; however, this is usually not necessary. Most modern vehicles use extended-life transmission fluid designed to last 16,000 km or sometimes the entire life of the vehicle. As this varies from one vehicle to another, you need to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s manual to know when to change the car transmission fluid.
High-octane premium fuel is better for engines
When it comes to fueling your car, it is not essential that premium is always a better option. Unless it is specifically written in the car owner’s manual that your car requires premium fuel. You can stop wasting money by avoiding the premium fuel surcharge if your vehicle doesn’t need it.
Replace all Car Tyres at the Same Time
It might seem like the logical thing to do, but you don’t have to. There is no point in changing all car tyres when only one tyre needs to be replaced. As long as the tyre has the same brand, size and model, you are good to go.
In case you need to change tyres, make sure you have a proper tyre changing tool kit.
Changing air filters and coolant when changing car oil
Your mechanic will probably offer to change the air filter and coolant when changing the car oil. However, these extra manoeuvres are probably not necessary. You should check the signs of bad air filters and change them if needed. Besides, you can refer to the car’s manual for the frequency of changes needed instead of spending your money unnecessarily.
Change the oil every 5,000 kilometres
You might have heard that getting a car oil change every 5,000 km can keep your car engine healthy. Changing engine oil and filter is essential to ensure optimum car performance, however, the benchmark of 5,000 km isn’t true. For the care and maintenance schedule, you can find the car care guidelines inside the owner’s manual. Here are some of the most common car oil change FAQs that can help you answer relevant queries.
Auto manufacturers know their engines and what it takes to keep them running smoothly, therefore, it is best to maintain them as per the manual. You can also change car oil yourself at home by following these tips:
Cars should be maintained every 6 months
According to some mechanics, you should take your cars for maintenance every six months. That said, maintenance depends on your car. Ideally, the old models need complete maintenance from every 48,281 km to 72,421 km. Newer cars can last much longer, starting at 80,468 km or a little more. However, you must avoid these car maintenance mistakes that may shorten the life of a vehicle.
Maintenance can include a wide range of work, including changing spark plugs, oil, air filter, and a variety of other parts. Therefore, it is important to keep track of your car maintenance schedule.
Driving in neutral saves fuel
It is a famous misconception about cars that driving in neutral uses less fuel. When the vehicle is in motion, in gear and without acceleration, the engine’s power system cuts fuel injection to zero. On the contrary, if it is neutral, it is necessary to continue to inject fuel to keep the engine running.
The truth is that driving in neutral increases the probability of being involved in accidents. Because when you don’t use the engine to brake, it takes longer, either to slow down or to stop the vehicle when needed. It also overloads the brakes and increases their wear.
Automatic Transmission Increases Brake Wear
The maintenance of automatic transmission is essential but many people also think that automatic transmission increases brake wear. However, both automatic and manual transmissions use the same brake system. Check out the guide to know more about automatic transmission myths.
Tinted windows help reduce heat
This is true because tinted glass reduces the impact of light, as well as reduces solar radiation. It also decreases the internal temperature of the panel by 20%. You can follow this guide for tinting your car windows at home.
The tinted windows not only increase privacy but also help preserve the car’s interior, as the impact of the sun is not so pronounced. However, tinted windows are only legal if they meet specific requirements. Here are the procedure and guidelines for car window tinting in Dubai.
EV Batteries Have Short Lifespans
One of the common myths about electric vehicles is that their batteries are expensive and have a short lifespan. The reason behind this myth is that many people think that charging your electric car battery regularly reduces their life span. However, EV batteries usually come with an eight-year warranty and ensure maintaining the optimum temperature when charging. Before you plan to buy, make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars.
With this, we conclude our list of some of the common myths about cars that can help you avoid unnecessary visits to your mechanic. However, if your car needs serious maintenance then consider buying a used car in the UAE and avoid frequent garage visits.
Stay connected to the UAE’s leading car blog to explore more automobile myths.
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