To have your own car is something that brings a lot of joy and excitement to your life. Modern cars are highly technological with lots of advanced features that makes driving them fun. With Bluetooth connectivity for listening to music, to driver assist functions, cars really do need some getting to know too.
One thing that is also true when it comes to car ownership is the number of stories you will hear. They often come from other car owners who will tell you about things you should or should not do in relation to the vehicle you own. Sorting out which to believe and which to ignore can be a tricky task if you are not a car expert. To make it easier, we have taken a look at common myths and truths when it comes to having your own car.
TRUE: GLASS COATING YOUR WINDOWS DOES WORK
Many people wonder if glass coating works for car windows but the truth is that glass coating really does a great job. When applied correctly it will aid dust and grime to slide off your windows and also make washing your vehicle easier. While there is doubt among some as to the effectiveness of glass coating, it is true that it works wonders. The key is to choose the right product which not only gives superior, long-lasting results but is also great value along with being easy to apply.
MYTH: YOU SHOULD IDLE YOUR ENGINE TO WARM IT UP
One thing that many drivers still believe is the importance of warming up your engine when first started by letting it idle. That is actually a total myth in the modern times where car engines do not need this to work properly. Modern fuel injection systems make the need for idling redundant.
TRUE: COLOR DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN SELLING
There is a good chance that you will eventually sell any car that you buy. As the general condition and mileage has an impact on its value, it is true to say that color does, too. The simple fact is that classic colors like white, silver, dark blue and gray are more popular with the general public. This means that you should get more for cars in these popular colors compared to something unusual like purple or orange. The same is also true around brands; a popular brand like Jaguar or Land Rover will command a higher resale value than lesser-known makes.
MYTH: YOU SHOULD CHANGE OIL EVERY 5,000km
Another myth lies in the frequency of how often you should change your engine oil. Of course, changing your oil regularly will not do any harm to your car but a rigid target of every 5,000km that some car owners insist on is not required. This is something that has carried over from previous years when engine oils were not as advanced, and engines were not as sophisticated as the cars we drive today. Modern oils have greater viscosity to help avoid sludge build-up, thus reducing the need for oil to be changed so regularly. If you drive a modern vehicle, the oil will last for about 15,000km on average, before a change is needed.
MYTH: BIGGER CARS ARE SAFER IN AN ACCIDENT
This myth is easy to believe as it seems to make perfect sense, it now seems though that car size and weight is not the be all and end all when it comes to accident safety. The built-in safety features which modern cars have now are the most important thing and could mean that a well-equipped smaller car could afford better protection in a crash. It is thought that when you take away the car safety features and only look at weight or size, the difference in protection is vital.
SORTING THE TRUTH FROM THE MYTH
Considering the assemblage of truths and myths mentioned above, it is not always easy to sort out what is right and wrong in the automotive world. The real problem lies in the fact that some concepts from motoring many years ago still exist today. That means that some outdated ideas are often presented as being true, despite the car design and production world having moved on. It is always safe to do your research or consult your trusted mechanic if you’re in doubt about anything car related.
