Car Care Myths & Reality

Most of us love our cars like a part of the family and rightly so. After all it goes along for picnics, road trips and every important event. And like a family member we care about our car’s safety and longevity. However, a lot of ‘bro-science’ gets passed around as hacks and tips from friend and mechanics, which may not always be true, safe or cost-effective. So, in this article, we'll bust some common car care myths.

Myth: You should let the car warm up first

Reality: As automotive technology advances, modern vehicles do not need to be idled before driving. You would just be wasting fuel and adding to pollution. As long as you don’t unnecessarily rev the engine, you can key in and drive as you normally would, and the engine will manage its performance.

Myth: Premium fuel will give better performance than regular-grade fuel

Reality: Most vehicles are designed to run on regular-grade fuel, so, unless you’re driving a high-performance sports car, fuelling with a high-grade fuel is not going to improve your car’s performance.

Myth: You should change the oil regularly

Reality: Coupled with new-age engines, contemporary synthetic engine oils are designed for superior performance. Unlike the old days, you don’t need to change the engine oil every 3 months or 3000 miles (4828 km). Most cars now can go anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 kilometres before requiring an oil change. Read your owner’s manual for specifications and log your changes.

Myth: You should inflate the tyres to the pressure written on the side

Reality: While keeping that number in mind is a good thing, it isn’t the ideal pressure. The figure mentioned is, in fact, the maximum pressure, and following that is basically testing the tyre’s limits. Instead, go by the pressure recommended by the car manufacturer, which you can find on the inside of the driver’s door.

Myth: You don’t need to replace the tyre till it’s down to the minimum tread depth

Reality: While there is a minimum tread depth – 1.6 mm in India – you should not wait for your car tyres to reach that stage. If you do this, you are unnecessarily putting yourself at risk because the minimum depth is for ideal condition and the tyres won’t hold well if there’s water on the road.

Myth: Your insurance will cover everything

Reality: Most people assume insurance will cover everything. However, it is very different depending on the insurer and the policy. It is important to know what your policy covers. Knowing what repairs and assistance your insurance policy provides, can be of great help in times of distress. For stress-free maintenance, Tata AIG’s Auto Secure Private Car Package Policy (IRDAN108P0002V01200001) with 13 add-on covers is one of the best ways to secure yourself and the car.

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