Car myths have been passed down through the generations, and it can be difficult to decipher truth from fiction. We have compiled some of the most common misconceptions about car care and want to make sure you know exactly what to do with your new car.
6 Common Myths About Servicing Your Vehicle
New Cars Are Maintenance-Free
While many new vehicles do offer a stronger sense of reliability, this doesn’t mean that they never need a wash or tire rotation. Improvements to the newer generations, such as better filter technology, upgrades to suspension, and computer-controlled ignitions, definitely allow today’s vehicles to make fewer trips to the mechanic. But regular care and maintenance are certainly still required.
Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended routine to keep your vehicle in good condition. Come down to our service center to stay on top of your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance.
Dish Soap is Just as Good as Car Washing Liquid
It’s best to just completely avoid using any household detergents, such as dish or hand soaps, on your vehicle. This goes for laundry detergent as well. These solvents strip off a car’s wax finish and can damage the paint.
Purchase a cleaner specifically designed for cars to save you time and money from repairing any damage other cleansers can cause.
Here are some other tips to keep your car in terrific condition.
Premium Fuel is Better for Every Engine
Some people think that premium gas guarantees better gas mileage. But that isn’t always the case. Many engines are best fitted with regular-grade fuel, or 87 octane. Buying a higher-octane fuel won’t damage your vehicle, but it won’t improve performance. So you might as well fill up with regular fuel.
On the flip side, if the manufacturer recommends premium fuel for your engine, you need to use it. Lower grade fuel will cause problems. Trying to save money at the gas pump in this case could cause you to pay a lot more later for repairs and will eventually slow your vehicle’s performance. So check with your dealer on what fuel is best for your car.
It’s Better to Get Gas in the Morning
The theory here is that cooler temperatures yield a denser quality to the gasoline, and typically the weather in the morning is cooler than the rest of the day. If the petroleum was noticeably denser, you should get more for your money.
But the reality is that the temperature of the gas coming out of the nozzle changes very little between dispensing versus in its underground tank. Making a special stop in the morning specifically to get a little more bang for your buck probably won’t generate enough of a difference to make it worth your while.
Running the A/C Will Adversely Affect Fuel Economy
This idea is still debated as to whether driving while using the air conditioner or having the windows down is better for fuel economy. Testing this might be your best bet to see which one your prefer.
Having the A/C on does work the engine a bit harder, but having the windows open increases aerodynamic dragging, so there are downsides to both choices.
Comfort and safety are key factors to this myth. Having the windows open increases the amount of external noise you can hear, which could be distracting. For most people, using the A/C won’t make enough of an impact to their MPG to make it unusable.
The Best Tire PSI is Located on the Tire Itself
If your tire pressure light comes on, most people check their tires’ pounds per square inch, or PSI. But if you typically inflate your tires to the PSI level on the outer wall of your tires, you could be overinflating. That represents the maximum PSI that your tires can safely hold.
To find the optimum pressure for your tires, check a sticker that can often be found on the driver side doorjamb, in the glove box, or on the fuel door. This will be the automaker’s recommended level to provide balanced braking, handling, gas mileage, and comfort.
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