Car Maintenance Myths: Debunked

As a car owner, it is likely that you have taken or given advice to your friends, family, or coworkers, and may not know exactly where you heard said advice in the first place. While a lot of times this can be helpful and can save you the painful internet search or half-hour conversation on the phone with the dealership, it often happens that not all of the words of wisdom that get passed along are completely true. There are many car maintenance myths that migrate from person to person because you might not stop to think about how much truth is involved. Additionally, we live in a world where technology is constantly evolving, so some of the car repair tips that might have been true 20 years ago are not as applicable today.

As a mobile car maintenance company, we pride ourselves on convenience and excellent customer service. One key aspect of this promise that we make to our customers is transparency, which is why Wrench is here to debunk some of the most popular car maintenance myths. While we do want to keep your car running as smoothly as possible, we are not determined to suck every last penny out of your pocketbook. Being familiar with these car maintenance myths will allow you to best allocate your resources when it does come time to fix your car, but also know when you may be able to save some money. Keep reading to find out some common car maintenance myths that are actually false.

1. Your oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles. This is one example of a myth that is just be a product of its time, because a couple of decades ago this was true. Some oil companies and repair shops will still push this idea in an attempt to maximize profits, but the truth is that most cars manufactured in the past 20 years or so only need their oil changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This is partly because of improvements in manufacturing and also the quality of oil being used. At Wrench, our mobile mechanics use only full synthetic oil to ensure the highest quality possible for your vehicle. Using high quality materials will help prolong the time in between oil changes. The best thing you can do for your car is follow the schedule in your owner’s manual, because it is the most reliable tool for determining when to schedule your next oil change. In the event that your manual recommends an oil change sooner than later, book an appointment with a Wrench mobile mechanic and they will have your car ready to go in no time!
2. You have to replace all four tires at the same time. If this was the case, you would be dealing with a very unhappy bank account in the event that you find yourself with a flat tire. Some people worry that failing to replace all tires at the same time will result in misalignment or other vehicular issues, but as long as the tires are the same brand, model, and size, there is no harm in replacing them one at a time. One tip that we can confirm is not a myth is that you should get your tires rotated every other oil change in order to prolong their lives. Additionally, do not let an automobile repair shop tell you that you need to replace the entire tire if you have run over a nail or a similar object. A Wrench mobile mechanic would be happy to repair the tire instead of having to replace the entire thing.
3. Premium fuel is always superior. Unless your owner’s manual specifically tells you that your vehicle requires premium fuel, you will be fine with regular-grade fuel. Regular fuel still has to be up to industry standards and will therefore not harm your car if you opt for the cheaper choice. Using premium fuel when it is not necessary will not damage your car, but it will not improve its performance either.
4. Rolling down your windows instead of using AC preserves fuel. Although using AC will make your vehicle consume fuel faster, constantly having the windows down is not necessarily better. Doing so increases wind resistance, and your vehicle will require additional fuel in order to counteract this resistance. Our professionals say that both options end up using the same amount of fuel.
5. Your car needs to warm up before driving. While this may be true for much older cars, most newer models do not perform better when the engine has been warmed up before driving. In fact, the best way to achieve optimal warmth is by driving, because once it is warm you get stronger performance.
6. You can only use the dealership for maintenance if you want to keep your warranty. Wrong!! Dealerships may try to convince you that this is the case in an attempt to keep all of your business, but you can get your car repaired wherever you please. Because this is the case, we recommend hiring a Wrench mobile mechanic to perform routine check-ups on your car in order to save you time that could be spent doing something you love. The only way your warranty will become void is if you do not perform any maintenance at all on your vehicle.
   

Although these are a few of the most common myths surrounding car maintenance, there are lots more! It is always important to be educated when in comes to taking care of your car in order to prioritize safety and save time and money. If you are ever questioning advice that you have been given or a potential problem that you might be facing, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile mechanic to get a professional opinion. We are here to make sure you are staying safe and educated on and off the road!