Common Automotive Myths Revealed

I will continue to build on this list as questions come in. If you have a question, E-mail me and I'll try to respond to you personally or by adding your question to this list.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Break-in Period?

2. How long should I warm my car up before driving?

3. How or should I "Jump Start" someone or have my car jumped?

4. How often do I need to have the oil changed?

5. Tires - General Information.

6. Should I be using Super (Hi-Test, Ethyl) gas?

7. What type of gasoline do I use?

8. What is the recommended tire pressure?

9. How should I store my car's battery?

BREAK-IN PERIOD

Question: What is the Break-in Period?

Answer: For the first 500 miles or so, you should avoid rapid starts or hard stops. In addition, avoid cruising at a constant speed. Try to vary your speed a few miles per hour. After 500 miles, have fun (Within the speed limits.)

You do not need an oil change yet. Although getting the oil changed around 2000 miles is a good idea.

ENGINE START UP

Question: How long should I warm my car up before driving?

Answer: In almost all circumstances you should NOT warm up your car before driving. This is the most destructive time for the engine and its related parts. The quicker it warms up the better. Your car will warm up much faster driving than just sitting their idling and you will save fuel.

JUMP STARTING

Question: When helping another motorist by offering to jump start their car, should I leave my car running or if I need a jump, should they leave their car running?

Answer: NO, this common mistake can be dangerous to both of your car's. Your good battery should be able to start their car without running your engine. If it does not, call a tow truck, they usually have bigger problems. Damage to the charging system is possible. IMPORTANT: Always make sure the cables are connected positive-to-positive (red to red) and negative-to-negative (black to black). If the engine compartment smells like a rotten egg smell or of sulfur, DO NOT CONNECT THE CABLES IT MAY EXPLODE THE BATTERY.

GASOLINE

Question: Should I be using Super (Hi-Test, Ethyl) gas?

Answer: Most of the cars today do not require a high octane gas. You should check your owners' manual for the minimum octane rating for you car. NOTE: It is perfectly OK to use Super any time you want, its just costs more. Additionally, Super will give you better gas mileage, but unless you're going on a long trip the price difference (cost of Super vs. the added mileage) may not pay.

OIL

Question: How often should I change my oil?

Answer: A good rule of thumb is every six months or 7500 miles, which ever occurs first. The exception to this is; if your driving is mostly short trips (typically trips under 5 miles) or you drive in stop & go traffic (that does not allow the engine to fully warm up) or dusty/dirty roads, then you should change your oil more often. Remember to have the oil filter changed each time. (Cheap insurance.)

Question: What oil should I use, and is it OK to mix different brands when I am low on oil?

Answer: Your owners manual suggest the proper weight of oil (usually an multi-viscosity oil) and remember this, Far more damage to your engine will result from low oil levels than could ever occur from mixing brands or weights.

TIRES

Question: Why do my tires cup? Or why does my steering wheel shake at high speeds?

Answer: Simple, your tires are out of balance! Get them balanced as soon as possible. Consumer Warning: A common rip-off is the suggestion that the shocks or struts are the blame of this condition. The reverse is actually true; if you have driven a long time with one or more tires out of balance, you may wear out your shocks or struts prematurely. You can test your own shocks; simply push down each corner of your car a few inches (4 or 5) and release. If your car returns quickly to the original position after one or two rebounds your shocks are probably fine. However, your car continues to bounce three or more times, you need shocks.

Question: Do I need an alignment every time I get new tires?

Answer: Generally, no. However if the tires are wearing unevenly (E.g.: If the inside of the tire is worn significantly more than the out side, or vise versa), or the car pulls badly to one side or the other than an alignment is in order.

Question: Do I need new tires to get an alignment done properly?

Answer: No, just another myth. The alignment is measured off of the wheels or spindles.

BATTERY

Question: How can I safely store my cars battery?

Answer: If you need to store your car's battery for whatever reason, it should be stored in an area that has good ventilation, (preferably outside) and is free from an ignition source. Contrary to popular belief, a battery can be stored on a concrete floor and there is no danger of it being damaged or discharged. However, be careful that it is clean before you store it anywhere as the acid is both corrosive and the fumes are explosive. Note: Any long term storage will discharge the battery.

ED Note: Submitted by Rhett, a technology educator at a small Kansas High School.