Lexus: Top 5 Car Myths That Still Exist
Some of these myths have gained the esteemed status of old wive's tale. Some we buy into just because that's what we've always heard. Others may have some basis in fact and just may have been nullified by newer technology.
Manual Transmissions are More Fuel Efficient Than Automatic Transmissions
This is one myth that at one point was based upon fact. Older automatic transmissions may not shift optimally in various driving conditions, whereas the human factor may have been able to outsmart the current technology and make shift point changes on the fly. The technology of such things as the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has no gear teeth and virtually an infinite number of shift points, has virtually stolen every advantage that a manual transmission used to enjoy. To add insult to injury, some drivers may experience more gas consumption when driving a manual transmission depending on the way they drive.
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You Have to Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles
Older cars that were made of good, old fashioned steel burned hotter and dirtier and worked harder than the modern engine and inner workings of today's automobile. Engines are made of different metal composites, aluminum or ceramics, that are lighter and cleaner and create much less friction than their predecessors did. This leads to less oil breakdown and less lubrication that is needed. Some vehicles can go up to 10,000 miles without the need for an oil change. Many cars have oil change indicators built in that will tell you when it's time to change, which in many cases, is much longer than 3,000 miles. With that in mind, you don't necessarily need to do an oil change between 5,000-mile intervals.
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You Must Warm Up Your Engine Before Taking Off
Many of the bits and pieces inside your engine do need oil right away, and cold, thick oil just doesn't get there in time. This was true back in the day and it still holds true today. The big difference is that today's engines do heat up faster and, in many cases, run hotter than engines of yesteryear. So in the case of a modern day fuel-injected babe-magnet, hop in and take off, even in the dead of winter. There are several reasons for this. A car being driven heats up faster than a car sitting at idle, so a car at idle will have the thicker, colder oil for a longer time, and those little bits and pieces actually will have been moving for a longer period of time with no oil than if you had just taken off. That's faster wear and tear. Another good reason is that the transmission and wheel bearings don't get any kind of lubricating help until you are actually moving, so the sooner the better. The last 5,000-mile reason is that your catalytic converter isn't doing anything until it's hot enough, which doesn't happen just sitting at idle; the longer you are waiting for your car to warm up, the more likely it is that you are spewing ozone-depleting emissions into the environment.
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You'll Get Better Gas Mileage If You Fill Up With Premium Fuel
Premium gas in your car is a big waste of your hard earned money, that is, unless you drive a high-end sports car that has a high compression engine. Most of the mainstream cars on the road today use low compression engines. This means that they are less susceptible to engine knocking. High octane gas is made to prevent engine knocking in the high compression engines. Engine knocking is the common term for gas that detonates or combusts prematurely. Higher octane gas takes a lot longer to detonate which is perfect for high compression engines. Most likely, your car is not one of them, and although premium gas won't hurt your engine, it certainly won't help it run any better or smoother. The only thing it really hurts is your wallet.
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Laundry Detergent Makes a Good Car Wash
A commonly held belief was that using your favorite laundry detergent was about the best thing you could use on your car to clean it. In reality, any kind of household detergent, whether dish detergent or laundry detergent, is much too harsh for your car. They will strip away the protective wax covering and dull the paint finish. A dedicated car wash formula is much less harsh for your car and will not strip the wax coating. Spend the extra money on a good, high-quality auto cleaner.
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For help with service of your car, check out the how to section of CLubLexus.com