Proper care and maintenance of your vehicle is, arguably, the topic with the most misinformation available. Myths and misconceptions can lead to wasted money and serious damage to your car if you don't do the proper research. Here we've compiled some of the most common car care myths. You've likely heard many of these before, but do you know the truth behind each of them?
Changing engine oil
If you only listen to TV commercials and your local quick lube shop, you may think that your oil needs to be changed every 2-3 thousand miles. In reality, there are a number of other factors that contribute to how often oil should be changed so a general estimate like that is never going to be accurate. If you were to drive in extreme conditions daily, with a lot of stop-and-go driving while towing a trailer up extreme inclines, then changing your oil every 2-thousand miles might be necessary. For the rest of us, it's a better idea to check your owner's manual. Many vehicles are designed to drive more than 7-thousand miles between oil changes in normal conditions. You certainly want to err on the side of caution and change your oil more often as opposed to leaving it for too long, but changing it well before it needs to be results in a lot of wasted money.
Tire pressure
Under and over-inflated tires can cause real problems and leave you stranded on the side of the road. So, how do you know what PSI to inflate your tires to? Many believe that the answer is as simple as checking the pressure written on the tire's sidewall. While a recommended PSI will be shown on each tire, this isn't an ideal inflation but rather a maximum limit. Rather than inflating to this pressure, instead check the recommended pressure for your specific vehicle, which can usually be found on a doorjamb sticker. Inflating to this ideal amount will result in the best performance for braking, handling, gas mileage and ride comfort. Then, be sure to regularly check each tire's PSI, especially when the weather changes, to ensure the optimal pressure is maintained.
Brake fluid
When your brakes fail, it's obviously a serious problem and one that can have significant safety repercussions. Blake fluid, unlike some of the other fluids in your car, isn't one that should simply be re-filled and topped off when it begins to get low, despite what you may have heard. A common reason for brake fluid to get low is that brake pads become worn. This is designed specifically to monitor the wear and tear on your brakes and refilling the brake fluid does nothing to erase this wear. If brake pads aren't worn and brake fluid is still low, it's probably because there's a leak somewhere, in which case adding more fluid is only going to be a waste of money. When you notice your brake fluid is low, it means it's time for a brake inspection. Even if brake fluid is at an adequate level, it's a good idea to have your brake's inspected by a professional every 6-7 thousand miles.
Warming the engine
If you own a classic car, it may be a good idea to start it and let it sit for a few minutes to warm up. This way, it will deliver peak performance as soon as you drive it out of the garage. For more modern vehicles, however, this is an unnecessary step. Today's engines actually warm up while being driven better than they will when simply idling. This doesn't mean you should rev the engine high immediately, however. It will still take time to warm up. Typically, after a few miles it will be delivering peak performance and fuel efficiency, but letting it warm up in park before you start driving won't significantly accelerate this process.
When issues appear with your BMW, Mercedes or Hummer H1, we at Benzin Motor Works are here to help. So bring in your vehicle at the first sign of trouble, or for routine preventative maintenance and get the benefit of our specialzied, knowledgable technicians.