From the belief that premium gas always boosts performance to the myth that red cars cost more to insure, misconceptions about cars are as common as traffic jams on a Monday morning.
Whether you’re a seasoned driver or a newcomer behind the wheel, understanding what’s fact and what’s fiction can save you money and improve your vehicle’s longevity.
In this post, we’ll shift gears and set the record straight on 19 common car myths.
So buckle up and prepare to have your assumptions challenged as we take a deep dive into the truths that every car owner needs to know.
In This Post
- 1) Auto start/stop wears out your starter and uses more gas
- 2) Premium fuel improves performance in all cars
- 3) You should change your oil every 3,000 miles
- 3) Manual transmissions always get better fuel economy than automatics
- 4) You need to warm up your car engine for several minutes before driving
- 5) Bigger cars are safer than smaller ones
- 6) All-wheel drive (AWD) is necessary for driving in all types of weather
- 7) Red cars cost more to insure
- 8) Using the air conditioner is worse for fuel economy than open windows
- 9) Turning off the AC saves a lot of fuel
- 10) Electric vehicles are more prone to catching fire
- 11) You can’t wash your car with dish soap
- 12) Jet fuel makes cars go faster
- 13) You should let your car idle to recharge the battery after starting it
- 14) SUVs are always better for off-roading
- 15) Filling up your gas tank in the morning gets you more fuel
- 16) Rolling down hills in neutral saves fuel
- 17) Higher tire pressure increases fuel efficiency
- 18) You must replace all four tires at the same time
- 19) Fuel additives are essential for engine health
- References
1) Auto start/stop wears out your starter and uses more gas
This is untrue. Auto start/stop technology is designed to save fuel and reduce emissions by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is idle and restarting it when the accelerator is pressed.
The system uses a heavy-duty starter that is built to handle frequent starts and stops, and overall, it saves more gas than it uses.
2) Premium fuel improves performance in all cars
Not necessarily. Only vehicles specifically designed for high-octane gas will benefit from premium fuel.
For most cars, using premium gas when your car only requires regular does not enhance performance or fuel efficiency.
3) You should change your oil every 3,000 miles
This used to be common advice, but modern lubricants and engines have extended this interval. Many cars can now travel 5,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes.
Always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation.
3) Manual transmissions always get better fuel economy than automatics
This is no longer true.
Modern automatic transmissions have become more efficient, often surpassing manual transmissions in fuel economy due to advanced technologies like more gears and dual-clutch systems.
4) You need to warm up your car engine for several minutes before driving
With modern cars, this is largely unnecessary.
Today’s engines warm up more efficiently when the car is driven, so idling for a long time just wastes fuel.
5) Bigger cars are safer than smaller ones
Vehicle safety depends on many factors, including design, engineering, safety features, and crashworthiness.
Some small cars are very well-engineered for safety and may offer better safety features than larger, older models.
6) All-wheel drive (AWD) is necessary for driving in all types of weather
AWD can improve handling and traction in adverse weather conditions, but it’s not a substitute for good driving skills or proper tires.
In many situations, having good winter tires is more important than AWD.
7) Red cars cost more to insure
The color of your car does not affect insurance rates.
Factors like the car model, its engine size, your driving history, and the vehicle’s safety features play much larger roles in determining insurance costs.
8) Using the air conditioner is worse for fuel economy than open windows
This depends on the situation.
At highway speeds, open windows increase aerodynamic drag, potentially using more fuel than air conditioning. However, at lower speeds, using the air conditioner might consume more fuel.
9) Turning off the AC saves a lot of fuel
While it’s true that using the air conditioning can increase fuel consumption slightly, modern systems are very efficient.
The difference in fuel economy is minimal, especially in newer vehicles.
10) Electric vehicles are more prone to catching fire
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not more prone to fires than gasoline-powered cars.
In fact, statistics indicate that EVs have a lower incidence of fire-related incidents compared to internal combustion vehicles.
11) You can’t wash your car with dish soap
While not recommended due to its harshness on automotive paint and protective coatings, washing a car with dish soap won’t cause immediate damage. However, it’s best to use products specifically designed for car washing to maintain paint condition.
12) Jet fuel makes cars go faster
This is a myth popularized by movies and urban legends.
Jet fuel is not suitable for use in most internal combustion engines and can cause severe damage or even destroy them.
13) You should let your car idle to recharge the battery after starting it
Modern alternators are capable of charging car batteries very quickly, even at idle, but driving the car is a much more efficient way to recharge the battery.
14) SUVs are always better for off-roading
Not all SUVs are designed for off-road use.
Only those specifically equipped with appropriate features like 4WD, high ground clearance, and off-road tires are suitable for such conditions.
15) Filling up your gas tank in the morning gets you more fuel
The theory here is that cooler temperatures mean denser fuel.
However, since underground tanks keep gasoline at a relatively constant temperature, the time of day has no significant effect on fuel density.
16) Rolling down hills in neutral saves fuel
This practice, known as “coasting in neutral,” is unsafe and illegal in many places.
Modern fuel-injection systems cut off fuel supply to the engine during deceleration, making this practice unnecessary and inefficient.
17) Higher tire pressure increases fuel efficiency
While slightly higher tire pressure can reduce rolling resistance, overinflating tires can lead to uneven wear, poor handling, and increased risk of blowouts. It’s best to stick to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.
18) You must replace all four tires at the same time
It’s ideal to replace all four tires simultaneously for AWD vehicles to maintain even wear and optimal handling.
However, for other vehicles, you can replace tires in pairs (front or back) as long as they are the same type and size as the others.
19) Fuel additives are essential for engine health
While some additives may benefit older engines or those running on lower-quality fuel, most modern gasoline comes with the necessary additives for engine health included.
