Cars come in all different shapes and sizes and run on all different sorts of fuel and electricity depending on the type you buy. With so many different car brands and makes to choose from, potential buyers can find pretty much anything they want. Some cars have cool perks, like clear plastic roofs or the ability to park themselves. However, there are some myths that have arisen over the years that need to be debunked. These myths have been created by car companies to increase sales, or simply not understanding how policies work. They have also stemmed from people being unsure of how the different parts of their car’s engine work
Like the Discovery Channel show Mythbusters, we’re ready to examine some of the most well-known myths about cars. Some of these you might already know, but others might be totally new. Fact-checking is one of the most important things a person can do, especially when it comes to keeping your beloved vehicle in tip-top condition. Start scrolling to find out all about these myths, and learn about your vehicle in the process. Maybe you have some of your own myths to share.
Perform an Oil Change Every 3,000 Miles
Anyone who spends time maintaining their vehicles knows that regular oil changes are necessary. A few decades ago, it was normal to change the oil for every 3,000 miles driven, but with newer technologies being used, this old rule is just that – old.
Depending on the year your car was manufactured and the brand, it’s likely the oil only needs to be changed every 7,500 miles. This can save a few dollars, which is great as well.
SUVs Are Safer Than Small Cars
It has long been believed that an SUV offers better protection in an accident than a small car because its bigger frame is more protective. While this is true to a certain extent, SUVs have a higher chance of rolling in sharp turns or during a crash.
This is due to an SUV’s center of gravity; cars have a lower one, which means they have less of a tendency to roll. Both vehicles provide protection, it simply depends on the accident which one will protect you more.
Korean Cars Suck
In the past, Korean made vehicles were not considered to be the best of quality. This is definitely not true now. Many brands that come out of Korea are affordable, built to last, and very sleek looking.
In fact, some of the brands tend to fare better in dependability studies when compared to American brands. Always research the vehicle you are planning to buy, as there are some excellent brands from all over the world.
Red Cars are More Expensive to Insure
Lots of drivers love to purchase flashy sports cars in vibrant shades like red and yellow. For years now, there has been a common misconception regarding red cars and the cost of insurance.
The color of a car does not factor into the insurance rate, even though many people believe that red cars cost more. What does matter is the driver’s record and the model of the car.
Paying Cash Gets You a Better Price
Car dealerships are like candy stores for car lovers. You get to try out all of the different makes and see which one is your favorite. When it comes time to buy, salespeople will cut deals, and many think that paying in cash will deliver a better deal.
This isn’t the case, as dealerships make more money through long-term financing schemes.
Hybrids are Slow
Hybrid vehicles have quickly become the go-to for most brands. They offer the fuel efficiency everyone wants and are able to use electricity when needed. In the past, hybrids weren’t known for their speed, but now that has changed.
Hybrids are just as fast as cars with regular combustion engines, which means they can accelerate as fast as they need to. Don’t worry about being left in the dust if you opt for one of these.
Dirty Cars Use Less Fuel
Car owners love to try out myths that might save them a few dollars on fuel. One of these myths was that a dirty car doesn’t have gaps for air to flow through and slow it down. In reality, a dirty car is not as aerodynamic, which leads to more overall drag.
Mythbusters put it to the test and determined that a car can use around 10% more fuel when dirty compared to when clean.
You Can Wash Your Car With Dishwashing Detergent
Cars may be exposed to all of the elements, from hail to rain, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a bit of TLC in the garage. Car washing soaps are specially formulated to keep cars shiny and avoid corroding the paint.
Dish soap is not a good substitute for car soap, as it can remove all of the wax in the paint job. That can lead to patchy holes, which eventually leads to a car needing an expensive new paint job.
Fill Up Your Gas Tank in the Morning to Get More for Your Money
Everyone is always looking to save on fuel, especially as gas prices rise. One popular theory is that fuel gets denser in the morning as it has had time to cool down overnight. When tested, this was proven to be false, as fuel is stored under gas stations, where the temperature stays relatively stable.
That means the fuel does not expand or get denser depending on the above-ground temperature.
Muscle Cars Can’t Turn
Muscle cars used to be the vehicles that everyone drooled over in the 1970s, and they are considered to be quite the collector’s item today. However, there continued to be a myth that these svelte vehicles cannot turn corners quickly.
In the past, this was certainly true, as their understeer was not as good as it could be. Nowadays, modern muscle cars are built to handle all conditions, and that include curvy racetracks.
All SUVs Are Good Offroad
SUVs have always been considered the top vehicles for enjoying on rough roads out in the country, but they are no longer as sturdy as they once were. Manufacturers have focused on making luxury SUVs that have plush leather interiors, heated seats, back massagers, LED lighted interiors, and a ton of other cool features.
However, these features don’t make an SUV durable in the backcountry, and now trucks tend to be the better off-road option.
“Always Put Your SUV in First Gear When Off-Roading”
While first gear can offer greater control at low speeds, which is often necessary when navigating difficult off-road terrain, the choice of gear depends on multiple factors. These include the gradient, the nature of the terrain, the SUV’s capabilities, and the desired speed and control level.
Drivers should use the gear that provides the optimal balance of power and control for the specific off-road conditions they are encountering.
“You Must Drive at Least Ten Miles Below the Speed Limit on Wet or Icy Roads”
While it’s crucial to reduce speed in adverse weather conditions, there is no one-size-fits-all rule like driving ten miles below the speed limit. The key is to drive at a safe speed that allows for full control of the vehicle and sufficient stopping distance. Each situation may require a different adjustment in speed based on the severity of the road conditions, the type of vehicle, and the driver’s experience.
Safe driving involves adjusting speed to maintain control and being able to navigate out of dangerous situations, especially around high-risk areas such as intersections, bridges, and overpasses, where black ice is more common.
“Use Cruise Control in All Situations to Save Fuel”
Cruise control can help maintain a steady speed on long highway drives, which can improve fuel efficiency. However, it’s not always the best option. Cruise control should be avoided in traffic, on winding roads, in urban areas, and under poor road conditions such as rain, ice, or snow.
It’s also important to remain fully engaged with driving and ready to take over control immediately if the situation requires it. Efficiency should never compromise safety.
A Jump-Start Will Recharge Your Battery
Everybody has left their lights on at some point in their vehicle. This drains the car battery, which inevitably leads to a friendly driver pulling out their jumper cables and getting the battery going again.
However, once a battery has been drained, it cannot be recharged and used like before. It will need to be replaced.
4WD Is Better Than Snow Tires In Winter
When the snow starts coming down, many drivers think they need to just go into 4-wheel drive, and they will be all set for driving under these conditions.
While 4-wheel drive is helpful in terms of acceleration, it does not mean that a vehicle will be able to grip the road any better. Snow tires are designed to grip, and without them a vehicle in 4-wheel drive can still skid and slip on snowy roads.
Convertibles Are Unsafe In A Crash
Convertibles are the kind of cars that people buy because they want to feel the wind blow through their hair and enjoy the open road at the same time. Convertibles that have their tops down look like they would not be able to withstand a crash, but that’s not exactly true.
The bodies of convertibles and the seats themselves are designed to withstand an impact with another car. Some vehicles even have additional safety measures, like active roll bars.
Manual Cars Are More Fuel-Efficient Than Automatics
Over the decades, transmissions on cars have improved vastly. Manual transmission used to be the norm, but automatic has quickly become the preferred model. In the past, automatic transmissions ate fuel, but now they are more fuel efficient than manual vehicles.
This is due to vast technological advances. If you still want to actively engage with the road via your manual transmission then enjoy, but know that you’ll save more fuel with an automatic vehicle.
Using Your Phone While Pumping Gas Can Lead To An Explosion
Do you remember what cell phones looked like in the early 2000s? They were big and boxy, and resembled bricks more than the smart devices we know and love. Some scientists hypothesized that a spark could be created from the external antenna, which could then travel to the fuel pump when at a gas station.
That spark could have in theory, caused an explosion. This never happened, but it was something to be mindful of. With internal antennas in new smartphones, we don’t need to worry anymore.
Driving With Your Tailgate Down For Fuel Efficiency
Some truck drivers like to drive around and not worry about their tailgates. That means they either take them off the truck or leave them down. The reason this is done is because there is a myth that says a lowered tailgate allows air to flow more easily around the truck.
That would cut down on drag if it was true. However, trucks are designed to have the tailgate up for increased airflow, not the other way around.
Running Your Air Conditioner is Better than Opening the Windows
Hot summer days call for air conditioning, but that may not be the most fuel-efficient option. Vehicle owners have often thought that driving with windows open was a great way to save on fuel, and it turns out they are right.
Air conditioning does in fact use a fair amount of fuel when compared to simply opening the windows. If you want to cool down and save on gas, just crank open a window.
Turning On The Engine Uses More Fuel Than Letting It Idle
In the past, many vehicles were built with carburetors which ate up a lot of fuel whenever a vehicle was turned on or off. Nowadays, most cars are designed to be as fuel-efficient as possible.
That means vehicles don’t need to idle for 30 seconds instead of being turned off to save fuel. Car designers have put a lot of research into fuel injection systems, and that is evident in how fuel-efficient vehicles are now.
A Start-Stop System Wastes Fuel Instead of Saving It
A lot of vehicles come with that nifty start-stop system that makes turning on a vehicle extremely easy. Some people are under the impression that this start-stop system increases the amount of fuel used.
However, after numerous studies and tests, it has been proven that this system can save fuel. In some instances, it was able to save a whopping 15% percent, which is good for the wallet and the environment.
A Bigger Engine Means More Power
Without some kind of engine a vehicle is not going to run. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the motto, “the bigger, the better,” was used for engines. A large V8 was the norm for powerful vehicles, but this has drastically changed in the 2020s.
Smaller engines now have just as much power as the V8s, and they tend to be much friendlier to the environment, along with saving owners major dollars when it comes to fuel.
You Are More Likely To Get Pulled Over In A Red Car
Everyone has seen fancy sports cars go zooming by them on the highway and then heard the tell-tale sound of police sirens. Sometimes, it is hard for luxury car owners not to see how fast their cars can go.
That kind of driving behavior is what catches cops’ attention, not the color of the car. Red cars do not get more attention than any other colors; it is all about bad driving behavior.
Premium Fuel Causes Your Car to Run Better
Your vehicle might be your baby, but if it doesn’t have a high-performance engine, then it doesn’t need high-octane fuel. High-octane fuel is primarily designed for luxury vehicles and sports cars, which run better when more expensive fuel is used.
If you have a more modest vehicle, then don’t bother shelling out the big bucks on expensive fuel. Regular fuel will make your car run just as well as the expensive stuff.
You Need to Warm Up Your Engine Before Driving
For decades, there has been a belief that vehicles need to warm up, especially in the middle of winter. Cold engines do not perform as well as warm ones, but new vehicles possess the technology to warm up as they are driven.
Don’t waste fuel by letting your truck idle in the driveway for ten minutes. Instead, start driving, and the engine will warm up on its own. Idling just releases more carbon monoxide and eats fuels.
Loud Mufflers Save Lives
Loud mufflers signify that a vehicle needs some work, but they also let drivers know where on the road a vehicle or motorcycle is.
While we don’t recommend having a loud muffler so other drivers know where you are, it is a good mechanism to let drivers know you are on your way to get your car fixed.
You Should Replace All Tires At The Same Time
The tires on cars go round and round, but that doesn’t mean that each tire is subject to the same wear and tear.
Vehicles have three modes of drive that will determine how many tires should be replaced at a time. For example, 2-wheel drive means that the front tires should be replaced together, and the back tires can be replaced at a later date.
Low Tire Pressure Results In A Smoother Ride
For RV owners, underinflation in tires has become a popular mechanism for creating what they perceive as smoother driving experiences. Underinflation actually leads to tires rubbing along the surface of the road more than they already do, which leads to a decrease in tread.
That means tires need to be replaced more quickly, which makes underinflation a poor choice for owners who want to avoid replacing tires regularly.
A Smaller Car Uses Less Fuel Than A Large One
The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the engine, right? This may have been true in the past, but that is no longer the case with cars and SUVs. Small but mighty engines have been developed for both types of vehicle, and that means that a car and an SUV can be just as fuel-efficient as one another.
When deciding what vehicle to go with, check the fuel efficiency listed on the engine, and don’t worry about the size of the vehicle.
Off-Brand Gas Is Bad For Your Engine
Off-brand gas is a great deal for drivers looking to save a few bucks, but does it impact the performance of your engine? The truth isn’t that simple. The major difference between name-brand fuel and off-brand fuel is the amount of additives in the gas.
The additives are what cleans the engine, and off-brand gas simply has fewer additives. In small amounts, this won’t have a negative impact on engine performance.
Overdrive Makes Your Car Faster
As soon as drivers hear the word ‘overdrive,’ they think they are about to go into GTA mode. In reality, overdrive simply means that a vehicle is now operating more efficiently and ensures that fuel is used economically.
Overdrive is meant to protect vehicles’ engines while allowing them to continue driving at a fast speed. There won’t be any Fast and the Furious moments here.
Cars Are Good Investments
There is a common myth that cars are investments in the future. People shell out the big bucks for the newest model and expect it to increase in value. This is not the case.
As soon as a new car rolls out of the lot, it begins to depreciate in value unless it eventually becomes old enough to be considered a collector’s item.
All Cars Need Frequent Tune-Ups
The first thing vehicle owners need to realize is there is a major difference between tune-up and maintenance. All vehicles require regular maintenance, but they do not require lots of tune-ups.
If a mechanic says a car needs a tune-up each month, then it is a money grab, as most cars can self-correct most of the time.
Technology Will Make Up For Bad Driving
Newer vehicles are coming equipped with all sorts of new gadgets, like cars that can park themselves.
Just because a car has fancy tech does not mean the person driving it can be a bad driver. Tech is meant to enhance good driving, not correct bad driving habits. Drivers still need to be vigilant.
All Old Cars Can Be Restored
Reality television shows people that most cars can be restored, but that doesn’t mean everyone should head to a junkyard for their next vehicle. Vintage cars and restoration jobs from junk yards can take years to complete.
This is due to the fact that vintage cars require very specific and sometimes expensive parts as replacements.
Luxe Leather Seats
When it comes to selecting a swanky interior fabric, many car purchasers believe that leather is the best.
It might look good, but over time, it can begin to show some wear and tear, like cracking. On top of that, black leather seats that have been sitting in the sun are not exactly pleasant to sit on.
Static Electricity
Everyone has felt that zap of static electricity when touching a vehicle’s door handle. When filling up the gas tank, it’s better to complete the process than get back into the car and wait.
During this time, static builds up, and it’s better to let the static discharge post-fill up instead of during.
Performance Chips Increase Power
Some cars feature high-performance engines, and some don’t. For the car owner who has a need for speed, some believe that simply plugging in a performance chip will get the job done.
These chips do not do anything according to tuning shops. If you want to make your car go faster, then you may need to upgrade your Engine Control Unit or even your engine. It’s always better to ask a professional about this.
Electric Cars are Likely to Catch on Fire
Electric cars are considered to be the future of the automobile industry, but some past fires involving them have led to people questioning their viability. Lithium-ion batteries found in electric cars have been found to create enough heat that a fire can start.
However, it should be noted that gasoline is way more flammable, making it far more likely to start a car fire. Just be mindful of any car you own, and fire hazards.
Older Cars Are Safer
Cars made in the 1950s and earlier were a lot heavier as they used different metals than cars manufactured now. Due to this, many people believed older cars to be safer.
However, technological advances have drastically improved the safety features offered in most cars today. Always check the safety specifications before purchasing.
Ammunition And Gasoline
Movies love to showcase vehicles in car chases, which end in dramatic explosions, most of the time from some ammunition hitting the gas tank.
In reality, most ammunition passes straight through the tank, and there is no fire to be seen. No fire means no explosion. Movies are more about drama than fact, in this instance.
You Can Still Drive Even If The Gauge Says Empty
As soon as the gas gauge in a car hovers on empty, most drivers assume that their car will simply stop running.
This isn’t the case at all. Most manufacturers ensure that around 2 gallons of gas are left in the tank, even when the ‘E’ is lit up.
Heads Doubles Car Key Signal Range
This is one of the odder myths that is actually true. If you want to unlock your door from further away, hold your keys by your head.
The fluid in your head will boost the signal range. If you don’t want to hold your key fob by your head, then holding it with a bottle of water will do the same thing.
Overfilling A Gas Tank Is Harmful
Topping up a gas tank might sound like a good idea. You have some extra gas should you start running low, but that extra gas actually takes up some important space needed for air.
There should always be a layer of air at the top of the tank that needs to be there to prevent any fuel from spilling. If that fuel does spill, it can lead to costly repairs.
Aluminum Is Safer Than Steel
Cars are typically made out of aluminum or steel, but the preferred metal these days is aluminum. When crash-testing aluminium, it has been shown to fold more predictably and absorb shocks better.
However, it is really the design of a vehicle that keeps the driver and passengers safe rather than the material.
Made In America
The automotive manufacturing industry is a big one, and most people assume that a car that is made in the U.S.A. was manufactured there.
When something is made somewhere, it means that it was assembled there. The parts could have come from all over the world, which means they weren’t made in the U.S.A.