Cars sometimes undergo wear and tear or other issues that might need immediate attention. Some of these maintenance practices might be costly but waiting them out only worsens the problem rather than fixing it. Dealing with the problem as soon as it appears ensures your safety as well as minimizes future repair costs. Today we debunk some of the most common car maintenance myths and why they cost you more money.
Get an Oil Change Every 3000 Miles
Car dealerships and repair shops are the only entities that stand to gain from this. Nothing physically justifies this statement. As a matter of fact, these announcements are simply tailored to bring in more business for the people working at those repair shops. This is because it leads to higher profit margins with an increased frequency of oil changes.
The limit for most cars nowadays is 7500 miles minimum. So don’t panic when your car clocks in another 3000 miles. Oil changes only cost you more money by increasing your fuel consumption rate without having any positive impact on your car’s overall performance.
Using Premium Fuel Enhances Your Car’s Performance
Media influence and advertisements will have you believe that the only way your car can achieve peak performance is by using higher octane gas. This is not true because most cars can easily run on regular fuel. Premium gas costs more money, yet it doesn’t affect the performance or well-being of your car.
Unless your manufacturer tells you that your engine runs on premium fuel alone, don’t waste your money buying a more expensive fuel type when your engine can just as well run on the cheaper one.
If you need more tips on maintaining your car, you may read our post about the key auto parts to keep your vehicle running at a peak performance.
Refilling Gas in the Morning Gives You More Returns On Your Money
Gasoline is a fluid that is susceptible to changes in temperature. That said, it will become much denser in the cold and less dense when warm. Theoretically speaking, you would be getting more gas for your money when you fuel in the morning. However, gasoline is usually stored underground where it is shielded from significant temperature changes. This makes your speedy morning runs a useless trip.
Rolling Down Your Windows Instead of Using AC Will Save You Fuel
Car accessories like your air conditioning unit affect your fuel consumption because they rely on engine power. Rolling down your windows, however, is an unnecessary step to take. While this action might lead to fuel savings while driving in the city, it does the complete opposite on the highway.
The resistance brought about by driving on the highway causes a difference in pressure between the inside and outside of your car. This creates a drag on your engine, which ultimately leads to higher fuel consumption. Besides, on a hot summer day, you’re A.C’s air is much cooler than the air coming from the outside, so you might as well remain cool.
Rev Your Car During Winter to Warm up the Engine Parts
This myth was a fact back when carbureted engines were still in play. Modern engines, however, warm up much faster, especially when it’s in motion. Revving your engine or allowing it to run in the cold could potentially cause you more harm in the form of higher fuel consumption, wear, and tear.
You Can Only Use Your Warranty at the Car Dealership
Most car owners believe that to maintain their car warranty, it has to be serviced at the dealership from which it was bought. This is not true.
You can take your car for servicing at any facility other than your dealership or even service it at home without voiding your warranty. The only thing that would void your warranty is if you don’t carry out routine maintenance or you don’t document work done by other facilities other than the dealer.
You Should Inflate Your Tires to Match the Psi Reading on the Sidewall
The amount of pressure you put into your tires is utterly dependent on prevailing environmental conditions. Gasses expand and contract with temperature changes. So on a hot day, minimize the pressure in your tires and do the vice versa on a cold day.
The psi reading on the tire’s sidewall is only meant to indicate the maximum amount of pressure that your tires can handle. When in doubt, inflate your tires as per the recommendations given to you by your manufacturer.
If You Puncture a Tire, You Have to Buy a New One
Accidents happen all the time. Sometimes this accident leads to a puncture in your tire. So does that mean you will have to buy a new one? A good repair shop will recommend fixing the leak rather than spending unnecessary cash purchasing a whole new tire at more than three times the amount it would cost to repair it.
Conclusion
Genesis Autoworks is dedicated to all your BMW Servicing in Brisbane. Remember to check with your manufacturer’s manual before performing any maintenance practices on your vehicle. Call us today for more myth-busting tips
Autobiography
Eric Reyes is a passionate thought leader having been featured in 50 distinguished online and offline platforms. His passion and knowledge in Finance and Business made him a sought-after contributor providing valuable insights to his readers. You can find him reading a book and discussing current events in his spare time.