Maintenance Myths
Mercedes Porsche Mechanic | Midtown Auto Repair | Services | Sacramento
P. 916.382.7700
Most of the time we are here on this blog discussing things you should do to maintain your car. Things like tire rotations, oil changes, and filter replacements are definitely things you should do regularly. However, today we are going to talk about maintenance myths or things you shouldn’t do with your car.
Many people see a number on the side of their tires and think this is the necessary tire pressure. Myth! The number is actually the psi, or pounds per square inch. That number represents the maximum pressure the tire will hold safely. If you want the recommended pressure that balances things like braking, handling, gas mileage, etc. then look for the sticker on the driver-side doorjamb, in the glove box, or on the fuel-filler door.
Many people also think that putting premium-grade fuel is better because it is more expensive. Myth! This is a very expensive mistake as most cars run fine on regular-grade fuel. If you are looking for better performance out of the engine then premium-grade fuel is the better option but otherwise don’t fall for this silly myth! Higher-octane fuels are less likely to create pre-ignition problems so they’re usually used in hotter-running, high-compression engines.
Lastly, don’t fall for the myth that your car’s battery will recharge after a jump start in only a few minutes of driving. If your car dies and you get a jump, you need to drive around for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour. Nowadays there are so many things in your car that draw a lot of power. Things like heated seats, music systems, and other accessories draw so much power that the alternator will have little left to recharge the battery. So, after a jump take a drive to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Take these myth busters into consideration and don’t fall for them. Your car is a big investment and you don’t want to fall for any tricks that could cost you. For more information on cars please reach out to us here at Midtown Autoworks.