5 Common Car Myths
Don’t get fooled again.
If cars aren’t really your thing, you might be susceptible to just about any car maintenance tips that sounds like it makes sense. And that in and of itself makes sense — a car is a huge financial commitment. If you could somehow prevent yourself from digging a money pit, why wouldn’t you?
These car myths have been floating around for a long time and have even tricked self-proclaimed car enthusiasts. But the thing to remember here is that’s what they are: myths.
1. Engines Need to be Warmed Before Driving
Winter is coming. And for those of us who live in any of the regions that experience winter, we know it’s going to get “chilly willy,” as my coworker says. With such temperatures on the horizon, we start with this question: should you or should you not idle your car before driving?
One of the biggest automotive myths is your car needs to warm up a little before you can start driving. Think of all the people with remote starters: fire up the engine while you’re still in the kitchen with your coffee and come out to a pre-toasted car. That sure beats feeling like Jack Torrance frozen in the snow, and it’s beneficial to your engine, right?
Wrong. At least in modern cars.
While older cars with carburetors benefitted from warming up to ensure the right mix of air-to-fuel in the engine, modern electronic fuel injection systems use sensors that determine the right mix of air and fuel. Warming the engine, therefore, is irrelevant. The Department of Energy, as well as most manufacturers, recommend only idling for 30 seconds before driving off. This way, the engine will warm up faster being driven, which will allow the heat to turn on sooner. Less idling decreases fuel costs and reduces emissions.
Note: this doesn’t relate to comfort or safety but simply the necessity of idling in winter.
2. “W” Stands for Weight
No, not quite. The “W” in your 5W-20 or 20W-50 ctually stands for winter grade. 5W-20 is an example of a multi-viscosity oil and contains “Viscosity Index Improvers” that allow the oil to compensate for a wide range of temperatures. These numbers refer to the oil’s viscosity at different temperatures.
While back in the day people used different viscosity oils in the summer and winter months, modern multi-viscosity motor oils make that practice unnecessary.
You can read more about lubricant viscosity here.
3. Synthetic Oils Cause Leaks
One of the most common myths regarding synthetic oil is that its use will wear down your engine seals and cause leaks. While this is a myth (it’s on this list, after all), it is at least based in fact.
Early synthetics were made differently and their esters were hard on neoprene seals, causing leaks. But that was the early 1970s and this is 2017… we’ve come a long way since then. Modern synthetic oils are much nicer to seals. Synthetic oils won’t cause leaks, but if you have a marginal seal, these oils will certainly find the compromise. And if there’s a compromise, you’d want to know that, right?
4. You Can’t Go Back From Synthetic
Speaking of synthetics…
Some people might tell you that once you start using a synthetic oil, you can never again go back to conventional oils, and vice versa. This is a lie. Someone is lying to you.
Synthetic and conventional oils get along fine. They are compatible. And since they get along so swimmingly, there’s no harm to your engine if decide to switch. You can actually switch back and forth if you want, or use a semi-synthetic oil. Synthetic blends combine premium synthetic base stocks and highly refined petroleum-based oils to create a high-performing and economically-priced motor oil. See? They’re practically BFFs.
5. It’s Bad to Switch Brands
You can play the old switcheroo on your car — within reason. And brands is within reason.
Just as it’s ok to switch between types of motor oil, it’s also perfectly fine to try different brands. What really matters is making sure the oil in question meets the manufacturer standards for your vehicle (such as viscosity grade and type).
NOTE: This article originally appeared on Industrial Outpost.
Sources:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/switch-to-synthetic-oil.htm/printable
