Your car was a big investment, and caring for it is of course of extreme importance in order to secure that investment. A vehicle is a complicated machine that undergoes a lot of impact and use and must be properly maintained and cared for in order to work at its best functioning ability.
One of the problems that many people deal with is that they don’t know what to believe and what not to believe when it comes to taking care of their car. If you don’t have a trusted car shop, this lack of knowledge can make you quite vulnerable when it comes to keeping with up your car maintenance in McKinney. Keep reading to learn about 7 car care myths that will make you feel a bit more secure in your next trip to the car shop.
Myth #1 Your engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles
Now this is a good number to follow generally for your “average” car. The problem is that all cars are different and so are their owners. How often you have your oil changed should be according to what your car’s owner’s manual tells you as well as the climate you drive in and how you drive your car. In fact, many cars can go for an oil change at about every 7,000 miles, not 3,000. Remember, this is totally dependent on your car and how you drive it. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, heavy towing, or are traveling in areas that have high elevation or a lot of dust, then you may need to follow the 3k oil change rule.
Myth #2 You must flush the car with coolant every time you get your oil changed
Once again, you can check your car’s owner’s manual for this piece of information. However, a large majority of cars only need a coolant flush every five or so years, or around 60,000 miles.
Myth #3 If I want the best for my car I should use premium
Many people hear that premium is best for all cars… The truth is that most cars run perfectly fine and well on regular-grade fuel and using premium fuel will not improve the vehicle’s performance but rather just cost you more money. Again, you will want to turn to your owner’s manual for the best answer.
Myth #4 You should warm your car up before driving
If you have heard that you should be warming your car up for a few minutes before driving, it just isn’t true. This was true back in the days with older cars, but cars these days don’t need it. Turning your engine on and driving is the best way to warm up your car.
Myth #5 Your battery will recharge in a few minutes after a jump start
The truth is, that your battery may need even a few hours of driving to reach a full charge. If you want to charge your battery faster, avoid using your car’s AC and heater as well as other systems like your radio and heated seats. All of this energy will be taken from the battery and prevent it from charging as fast.
Myth #6 Do-it-yourself car maintenance is just as good as going to a car shop
The reality is, a mechanic has the experience you likely lack. While it is great and recommended to know how to change your tire or jumpstart your car, you really should leave it to the professionals when it comes to the big stuff or you could actually be causing your car more damage.
Myth #7 Air filters need to be replaced with every oil change
Yes, your air filter does need to be replaced every now and then, but not with every single oil change. A lot of cars can go anywhere from 12,000 to 24,000 miles in between air filter changes, however, this is dependent on your car and how you drive it.
Here at Nortex Lube & Tune, we take car safety in McKinney seriously. Our priority is honest service and customer satisfaction and safety. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our car maintenance experts, give us a call today.