With work-from-home now the norm, automobile owners are driving less unless they are visiting an essential business nearby. However, maintaining essential services even when your vehicle is sitting idle can ensure it runs smoothly as it ages. 

With many suggestions floating around the internet, we decided to debunk common car maintenance myths that could do more harm than good. 

Myth #1: Warm up your car’s engine before driving in the cold.

Many people believe letting your car run for several minutes before using it in cold climates is suitable for the engine. In reality, doing that has no benefit other than heating the inside of the car. Having your vehicle sitting in the driveway uses gas to go nowhere, wasting money and gasoline. 

Tip: Cars nowadays warm up faster while the car is driving. Parts such as wheel bearings and transmission are some examples of parts that require movement to fully warm up. The best way to properly warm your car up in the cold is to drive as normal.

Myth #2: Wash your car with dish or laundry soap.

Many confuse this as a way to save money, but washing your car with dish soap or laundry detergent damages your vehicle’s wax finish. The result can lead to paint chipping off and rust marks. 

Tip: Purchase car-wash liquid to avoid causing damage. Using this is a great way to get a quality wash you might receive at a detailer, while still saving money. The car-wash liquid is designed not to strip away the wax finish of your car.

Myth #3: You should fully replace a tire if you run over a nail.

Many repair shops might try to convince you that the entire tire needs replacing because of a puncture related to a nail or other sharp objects. In most circumstances, this is not the case. 

Tip: Many tire shops can repair this kind of damage with a rubber patch. This patch goes on the inside of the tire. The patch costs about $20.00, whereas a new tire can run you at a minimum of $100.00. Requesting this, instead of buying a brand new tire, is a great way to maintain your tire while saving money properly. 

Myth #4: Your air filter is dirty and needs to be changed.

Often, when getting your oil changed, mechanics try to persuade you to replace your car’s air filter. Although there will be times when you might need to, we recommend checking your car’s manual before committing.

Tip: Modern cars can go around 25,000 miles before a new filter is needed. The appearance of a dirty filter does mean a replacement is required. If anything, that means the filter is doing its intended job of cleaning the air from toxins. An easy test you can do at home to see if your filter needs to be replaced is the light bulb test. Take a 100-watt light bulb and turn it on. If light passes through at least half of the filter area, your filter is in great shape. 

Myth #5: Vehicle servicing at independent repair shops will void your warranty.

Servicing your car at an independent repair shop will not void your warranty. Some dealerships will claim that your vehicle can only be serviced by them, but that is often false. 

Tip: Any auto repair shop can perform any necessary maintenance that is covered under your warranty. All you need to do is save the receipts to prove what was done and at what cost.

Protect Your Car and Your Wallet with Endurance

If you don’t have auto protection from Endurance, now is the time to prepare for the unexpected. We have limited time relief plans available. You can request a no-obligation quote or call (800) 253-8203 to learn about low down payments. When it comes to car maintenance, there’s a lot to think about, and we’re here to help.