MOTORISTS are falling for five car maintenance myths that could cost them money, experts have said.
Brits often think these five misconceptions are the right way to run your motor – but in reality they could damage your car.
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According to expert Johnny Pretorius the amount of conflicting advice means it’s hard to know what’s best for your car.
“Keeping your car in good working order throughout its lifetime depends on good car maintenance.
“However, there are lots of car maintenance tips that might have made sense years ago, but new advancements in automotive technology have made these tips irrelevant.”
Here’s the five myths as compiled by car experts Motor Happy.
Oil should be changed every 3,000 miles
Oil changes at the 3,000 mile point is not a hard and fast rule and it’s better to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
So it’s always advisable to check the owner’s manual rather than listening to outdated myths.
Inflating tyres to the PSI written on your car’s sidewall
Many motorists think that the number on the tyre’s sidewall is the recommended air pressure, says Motor Happy pros.
But in reality, that’s the pressure the tyre will be able to hold safely.
So it’s best to make sure to check the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle.
That can usually be found a sticker on the driver-side door, in the glove box, or on the fuel-filler door.
A wrongly inflated tyre can significantly affect the handling, braking, and overall wear.
Warming up your car
Everyone thinks that running the engine for a few minutes is the best way to start up your car.
While that might have been true for most vehicles built before 1995, modern engines now warm up and cool down a lot quicker.
Nowadays the best way to warm up your car is to start driving gently.
Washing your motor with dishwashing or laundry detergent
Unfortunately dishwashing or laundry detergent are designed to flush grease off which means they can also strip the car’s paint.
If you use them on your car, you might remove the protective wax on the vehicle.
So you’re advised to stick with car washing liquids even if it means paying a little bit extra.
Premium fuel increases performance
If your car doesn’t require premium petrol then you can just fill it up with regular fuel.
In fact, the US Federal Trade Commission said in most cases, using a higher-octane gasoline than your owner’s manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit.
When it comes to driving, others have pointed to five basic mistakes that could be damaging our car.
How you drive over speed bumps, what gear you use in town and even where you rest your hand could all help keep your car going
