Busting Maintenance Myths
Common Maintenance Myths: When “My Friend Said” Isn’t Good Enough -- Dave’s Ultimate Automotive
Most of us have a few reliable friends, and they're great for giving us advice--on some things. Should we use bar stools or chairs in the man cave, or which purse goes best with these shoes? As great as these life companions are, perhaps you shouldn't get your car care tips from them unless they're truly qualified in that area. Although the intention is good, the recommendation is not always technically sound. So-called facts get repeated over the years, changing slightly as they're retold or not changing as vehicles modernize. To avoid falling victim to a car maintenance myth, bring your vehicle to Dave's Ultimate Automotive in North Austin, Texas.
Frequently Repeated Car Care Myths
Maintenance myths develop out of good will. The underlying purpose is to help you keep your car on the road as long as possible, so there may be a bit of truth along with the misinformation. For instance, some people insist that the oil in every vehicle must be changed every 3,000 miles. Advancements in engines and higher mileage motor oils have led to greater spans between recommended lubricant changes. Another misconception is inflating your tires to the number shown on a tire's sidewall. This is the maximum safe air pressure, not the best reading for operation. Consult your owner's manual to determine proper inflation. When discussing tires, be aware that some people think it's always okay to keep going all the way down to 2/32 of the tread. Maybe so, but maybe not. That is the bare minimum for tread, and it may not offer enough traction on wet roads.
A long-standing piece of advice is to warm up a vehicle before driving, especially in cold weather. Newer engines, however, actually warm more quickly as you drive, so the more current recommendation is to begin driving the car as soon as you crank it. Some drivers also believe that premium gas is the best. In truth, most modern engines perform just as well as regular-grade fuel. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for transmission fluid change, too, often-repeated 50,000 mile mark is best for your particular model car. Also, drag from open windows may actually cause your auto to use more fuel than using the AC--even if that's not what your Grandpa said. Finally, it's okay to choose your service provider (instead of going to the dealership for everything) as long as you indeed take care of and document the maintenance points necessary to maintain warranty coverage.
Get the Facts--And Reliable Service
When maintaining your vehicle, be sure the maintenance advice you listen to is based on facts. For reliable service, count on Dave's Ultimate Automotive.