When you buy a car, it comes with the given, usually unspoken, knowledge that you will have to take care of it and keep up with your new car’s regular maintenance so that it lasts for a long time.
However, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about what is necessary car maintenance and what is told to some people just to make them worry and spend unnecessary money. There is a fine line between what needs to be done and what doesn’t but the line is definitely there. There are a lot of myths circulating that will make you think you need repair when your car is actually completely fine. Understanding these myths will help you know what necessary repairs are and which are total misconceptions that are designed to make you spend unnecessary money.
Myth Number One
If I am driving and run over something that punctures my tire(s) then I will need to buy an entirely new tire. If the damage done by whatever object punctured the tire is more than a 1/4 inch in length, then you do not need to get a new tire altogether. Small punctures can be fixed with something as simple as a plug or a patch that goes over the hole and creates a seal. This prevents any more air from escaping the hole and any moisture from reaching the belts made of steel on the inside of the tire. Once patched up, you are ready to be on your way with a tire that is as good as new.
All Four Tires Need to Be Replaced Simultaneously.
It honestly does not make a difference when you change your tires out. All that actually matters is that all four tires are the same model, size, and brand. As long as they are all the same as the other, you can change them out one at a time as each gets worn. Rotating them every time you get an oil change also allows their life to be extended.
Your Car Will Perform Better with Premium Gas
The only type of car that benefits from the use of premium gas versus regular unleaded gas are cars that are turbocharged or who’s engine is high performance. This is because the gas is designed to help cars with engines that have higher compression. If you are unsure which type of gas is best for your car, your owner’s manual will give you the suggested type to use or ask a repair shop like for example, Automoda Fiat repairs and they can point you in the right direction.
Adding Things to My Oil Will Help Help Your Engine Run Better
Your engine really does not need any help to do what it is meant and built to do. It is built with already delicate chemistry which makes it run smooth and balanced, and using advertised additives in your oil can actually do more harm than good to your engine.
I Have to Run My Car And Warm It Up Before Driving in the Winter
An engine does need to be warm in order to run properly, but an idle engine actually takes much longer to warm up than an engine that is active while you drive. The transmission and the wheel also have to be in full motion for them to get warm, so warming up an idle car really has no maintenance benefit, only the benefit of getting the interior nice and warm.
My Timing Belt Only Needs to Be Inspected Every 60,000 Miles.
Timing belts need to be inspected very often. Even in a car with low mileage, a timing belt could be in bad condition and fail on you leaving you without a car and a repair that would be incredibly expensive.
