12 popular car maintenance myths every car driver should know
Let's take a look at these car maintenance myths.

Myth #1: Air conditioning reduces fuel economy
This topic has received quite a lot of debate from car owners. The myth is that the cooling system will degrade the fuel economy of the car. This is not the case here. When the car windows are open while driving, the aerodynamic drag which happens is a factor that affects the fuel economy even worse. So it isn't fair to say your air conditioning hurt the fuel economy.

Myth #2: Change the oil every 3,000 miles or 6 months
Most people have bought into the idea that the oil should be changed every 3,000 miles or 6 months. However, this notion is no longer valid as modern day engines and oils has given a longer interval. With the changes, the time interval of an oil change can go as far as 2 years or 15,000 miles for a great synthetic oil. And to warn you, don’t wait too long before you decide to change your oil as it might damage your engine.

Myth #3: Premium grade is a better option for your car
This is yet another costly mistake. A lot of cars use regular fuel which makes them run fine. However, many car drivers presume filling the car with premium fuel is going to increase the vehicle's well-being and performance. This isn't true. Premium fuel won't increase the performance of the car and neither will it cause any damage to it. It is a waste of money for most of the cars we see nowadays run on 87 Octane.

Myth #4: Fuel filter should be changed regularly
We've been made to think that a regular change of fuel filter is good for the cars. But it's not so in today's cars. The gas is thoroughly filtered from the pump. So your car doesn't need a fuel filter anymore except in cases where the gas tank rusts or you abuse the car.

Myth #5: To let the car set for a longer time, release the parking brake
All thanks to technological advancement as modern-day cars are now built with high-tech features. Now, you no longer need to release your parking brake when you want to park. The parking brake system that comes with modern cars is much better than old cars. They don't stick badly and can be left engaged for a long time.

Myth #6: Fuel refills in the morning increases fuel efficiency
Probably you have heard it too. When you fuel your car in the morning, it will increase fuel efficiency because of the cooler weather than when the gas tank is filled in the afternoon. The fuel emanating through the nozzles does change because of temperature but it's not notable, so quit rushing to the gas station in the early hours of the morning as it's futile.

Myth #7: When you fix your car yourself, your warranty will be voided
Car drivers have heard several times that calling an auto mechanic to fix their car when it is still under warranty will void the warranty. This is another car maintenance myth that's not true. The warranty still covers your car.

Myth #8: Allow the engine to warm up for some minutes before driving
Warming up a car engine was applied to older cars. But the engines of modern cars warm up more quickly than older model cars when driving.

Myth #9: Your tyre should have the same air pressure listed on tyre sidewall
The figure listed on a tyre's sidewall is the maximum pressure and not the ideal pressure. If you adhere to this car maintenance myth and go by the figures, your tyres will wear out unevenly.

Myth #10: DIY car maintenance is the same as done by an auto mechanic
We agree that there are some car maintenance you can do yourself, such as jump-starting your car or recharging the AC. However, there are some car problems that go beyond DIY. Even a Google search can't get it fixed other than having an auto expert check out the problem.

Myth #11: Get the tyre replaced when a nail punctures it
Your punctured tyre can only be replaced with a new one if the sidewall was affected by the puncture. Look for a mechanic who can patch or plug the punctured area on the tyre to restore the tyre's airtight seal.

Myth #12: Replace the coolant fluid when changing the engine oil
This is yet another car maintenance myth that has been busted. Coolant replacement is not in any way related to the engine oil and do not require a regular change.

Have u ever believed in these car maintenance myths?

More details at: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/car-maintenance-myths-1854