Common Car Myths
Sometimes you might hear something about your car and wonder, “Is that true?” Below are a few common car myths that you may want to investigate before making a decision that could cost you down the road.
Myth #1: Make sure to change your oil every 3,000 miles.
Depending on vehicle age, type of oil and driving conditions, oil change intervals will vary. It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car's engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services! You cannot judge engine oil condition by color, so follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes.
Myth #2: I need to warm up my car before driving in the cold.
This age-old practice of warming up your engine before driving is no longer true. It’s actually bad for your car to let it idle. It puts extra fuel into the combustion chamber, which can get into your cylinder walls. Without gasoline, the oil won’t dissolve. So, it’s actually recommended to wait a mere 30 seconds before driving since gasoline will do the work of warming up your engine for you.
Myth #3: Premium fuel will help my car’s performance.
Although this is one of the most prevalent car myths, it’s got no basis in fact. Premium gas may be more expensive, but that doesn’t mean it’s purer or cleaner than the regular gas that you fill up with. This gas is used for particular cars that need less combustible fuel, but it won’t make any difference to your normal vehicle. You’ll know if your vehicle requires premium gas by reading your owner’s manual. If your car’s engine requires a higher-octane level, then you should use premium. If not, don’t waste your money.
Myth #4: I should replace all of my tires at the same time.
Sure, this logic could make sense, but it’s actually not needed. Just because one tire needs to be replaced doesn’t mean you need to fork over the money to replace all four. As long as the tire is the same brand, model and size, you are good to go!
To find out more about auto insurance, contact your AAA Insurance Agent at 1-800-222-1469, go to AAA.com/AutoInsurance, or stop by your local AAA office.
