In 2016, the total car expenditure by U.S. consumers totaled approximately $8,427. That was the purchase cost, gasoline and motor oil, auto repair, maintenance, and license.
Are you a car owner adhering to the strict scheduled service instilled in you by your father? Have you been a victim of unnecessary costly upsell from the last time you changed oil at a big chain garage recently?
If this describes you, you are not alone. Since the last 30 years, there has been a dramatic change in vehicles. The service regimen, as per your father, was necessary back then.
Your dad’s Dodge Pickup of 1973 and your 2015 Toyota Camri may have diverse maintenance requirements.
Cars have upgraded air filters and oil technology, their ignitions are computerized, and they have improved suspension systems. It’s critical to understand your car’s maintenance and service requirements, and what is not. However, don’t dismiss your father’s advice entirely.
Though we are no longer in the 19th century, some car maintenance requirements should remain intact. Read through this paper to get insight into auto repair myths to avoid.
Change Your Oil Every 3000 Miles
This common advice has been passed down for decades, but it’s no longer applicable. According to the last decade’s cars manual, you need to change the oil every 5000 miles or more. The standard recommendation is 7500 miles and up to 10,000 miles on certain conditions.
The increase in oil change mileage comes from improving the engine designs and chemical compositions. Oil in these cars lasts for a longer duration before requiring change.
Warm Up Your Engine Before Driving
Our parents probably gave us the idea of warming up the car on the cold days before driving. Warming the engine assists in the effective operation of the defroster, but is not a good idea. It contributes to gas wastage, wear and tear of the engine, and vulnerability to theft.
Better winter gear is a good investment to keep you warm in the cold vehicle. Use an ice scraper in clearing your windows without needing the defroster. Remember, gasoline engines require lesser time to warm up than diesel engines.
Cheap Gas Can Harm Your Car’s Engine
This idea appears sensible on the surface, but has no practical justification. You receive what you can afford with most products and services in the automotive industry. An expensive car is most likely built by a reliable manufacturer or valuable parts.
A more expensive oil performs better than cheap oil. In some cases, expensive gas from a high-end provider proves more valuable than cheap low-level gas. Low-end gas has additives like protectants and cleaners, keeping your engine in good working condition.
On the other hand, cheap gas will not actively harm your vehicle. Gases must conform to a particular quality standard to reduce worries about what your car consumes.
Insurance Will Cover All Auto Repair
In an accident, the insurance company assists in covering some costs of repairing and replacing the car. However, insurance companies are different, and they aim at paying you the least possible amount of cash. If the accident is your fault, your insurance premiums will increase, and the entire policy may be canceled.
Study the fine print carefully, because not all policies cover everything.
Manual Transmissions Are More Efficient Than Automatic
This myth was once true. Earlier, the components of the automatic transmission were designed poorly and inefficiently. Manual transmission cars could easily outdo an automatic car in its efficiency for fuel consumption.
There has been a consistent sophistication in automatic transmission development, making it more efficient today. Automatic and manual transmission cars are now less or more comparable in fuel consumption. If this reason makes you think of purchasing a manual, know it’s not a factor anymore.
Best Auto Repair Shops Give Repair Estimates on Phone
It’s believed that auto repair shop management software provides correct estimates of auto repairs. The estimates can be made over the phone before inspecting the car. The over the phone estimate is a misconception.
The vehicle must be checked by computerized systems. Visual scanning and mechanical scanning follow first. It’s impossible to diagnose a car’s problem and provide an appropriate quote over the phone.
Be aware of firms that try to defraud you to gain your business.
A Mechanic’s Tool Can Diagnose Your Vehicle’s Problem
Mechanics use an automotive scan tool to communicate with your car engine’s computer. Most people believe the scan tool shows the exact problem and requires no further diagnosis. The scan tool provides a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) to the mechanic.
The code represents an error message within the data link connector of the computer. Essentially, the code directs the mechanic on when first to look. For instance, an oxygen sensor O2 code does not necessarily indicate a faulty sensor.
An intake leak in the gasket or exhaust causes the O2 sensor code. It can only be determined through a hands-on examination.
Unauthorized Repair Shops Will Void Your Warranty
A dealership may persist on this misconception to retain their customers. Dealerships will strongly imply that servicing your new car with a third party renders your warranty void. However, any local auto repair can service your car, provided the warranty covers the repair.
Your task is to keep the receipts, proving what broke down and the cost incurred.
Protect Your Car by Avoiding the Myths
Neither of these myths is true, even if some were once true. To understand the fundamentals of how your car works, you don’t have to be a mechanic. The above information helps reduce the cost of auto repair and maintain your vehicle in good condition.
Keep in mind to call your insurance company in case of an accident for assistance with repairs.
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