Driver Myths Revealed!

I recently came across a fascinating article by, Kelsey Mays, on cars.com and it was too good not to share. Though I am far from a teen driver, I have been a believer of some of these myths for years! It was interesting to find out whats true and what's a flat out rumor when it comes to maintenance advice and safety tips. I've included a few of favorite common myth busts from the article, but if you care to read the whole thing click here.

Myth: Change your oil every 3,000 miles.

Various service stations advertised the 3,000-mile oil change for years, making believers of many of us. While it doesn't hurt to change the oil that often, it's a waste of money in most cases. Modern vehicles generally recommend an oil change every 7,500 miles — more than twice the distance those service station ads warn you about.

 

Myth: Vehicles that 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 Environmental Protection Agency requires 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.

 

Myth: Keep your dashboard and tires shiny by frequently wiping them with protectant compounds.

Dashboards gather dust and tires lose their shine; it's inevitable with use. Frequent use of various protectant compounds available to consumers, however, can actually do more harm than good. Many dashboard cleaners leave a shiny glare and slippery surface, which are hardly the results you want to aid in safe driving.

Some experts even say these treatments cause the dashboard material to dry out or age faster. Also, tires become discolored as a side effect of their built-in chemicals — the waxes and antioxidants that form a protective coating against airborne elements, according to Bill Vandewater, consumer products manager in sales engineering at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire.

 

Myth: It's best to shift an automatic transmission into Neutral at red lights.

This myth stems from the idea that keeping the transmission in Drive while stepping on the brake wastes fuel and causes unnecessary wear on the driveline. In fact, actual engine wear and fuel loss are minimal.

Regularly shifting from Neutral and back into Drive when the light turns green, then immediately stepping on the gas, can wear — albeit slightly — on the transmission, driveline and engine mounts. Ultimately, these stoplight antics probably won't amount to any measurable harm or good; they're likely just a habit by folks who need to keep their hand busy with the gear selector.

 

 

Don't you feel like the light just turned on in your head and you realized that maybe just maybe some things you thought were helpful or beneficial to your car aren't really, well if so, your not alone--I'm right there with you!