Updated: Car maintenance myths debunked

If you’re a diligent car owner, you want your vehicle to be in perfect condition. But if you follow all the car maintenance advice out there, you might get confused! Here we debunk the five most common car maintenance myths to help you save time, money and effort.

    Myth 1: Warm up your car by letting the engine idle for several minutes

This one is outdated. While this was certainly recommended for most vehicles built before 1995, modern engines warm up and cool down a lot quicker. With modern engines, the fastest (and best) way to warm up is to start driving gently. In other words, don’t rev the engine for the first few minutes.

    Myth 2: Engine oil should be changed every 4500kms

When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, it’s always better to check out the owner’s manual rather than listening to outdated myths. If you want to keep your car’s engine in the best possible condition, have the oil changed as per the manufacturer’s guidance.

    Myth 3: Premium fuel can increase performance of my engine

Most cars are made to run on regular grade fuel, so if your car doesn’t require premium petrol, fill up with regular. A recent notice from the US Federal Trade Commission said in most cases, using a higher-octane gasoline than your owner’s manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit. It won’t make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage, or run cleaner.

    Myth 4: Inflate the tyre pressure to the PSI figure written on the sidewall

When inflating vehicle tires, many of us think that the number on the tyre’s sidewall (psi) is the recommended air pressure. However, that psi figure is the maximum pressure the tyre will be able to hold safely. Make sure to check the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle. It’s usually on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb, in the glove box, or on the fuel-filler door. A wrongly inflated tyre can significantly affect handling, braking, and overall tire wear.

  Myth 5: You can wash your car with dishwashing or laundry detergent.

Using dishwashing or laundry detergent can strip the car’s paint because they’re designed to flush the grease off utensils and clothes. If you use it on your car, you might remove the protective wax or the clear coat on the vehicle. Stick with car washing liquids even if it means paying extra.