Automotive Myths

Myths passed around start with a grain of evidence and are then built up with a lot of imagination and very elastic logic. And the internet is a breeding ground for automotive myths. Some bloggers recall the vehicles of yesteryear and declare their modern decedents to be virtually maintenance-free and that anyone who says otherwise is out to rip you off.

To get the truth about auto myths you hear around, come over to Speedy Lube.

Let's examine a couple of the more popular rants and look at the truth behind them. The first one is that the chassis no longer needs lubrication for suspension, steering and the driveline. They declare that anyone who has charged you for lubrication is a charlatan. The truth on which this myth is based is that many new vehicles come from the factory with sealed joints and cannot be greased. However, there are still some grease points on many cars. A grease fitting may have been installed in conjunction with a repair. And most trucks and truck-based SUVs still require chassis lubrication. This is because they are heavier duty. This myth is based on the truth; proper greasing is still required to keep them going. Another familiar rant is that modern vehicles don't need tune-ups. That depends on your definition of a 'tune-up', which has changed as technology has progressed. Before engine control computers, electronic ignition and fuel injection, a tune-up meant replacing worn-out mechanical parts. Service technicians at Speedy Lube would manually adjust fuel and air mix and timing. When these adjustments were off, spark plugs would foul and need to be replaced. This definition just doesn't apply to modern vehicles. Service centres like Speedy Lube generally consider a tune-up to be the major service visit, recommended by your manufacturer, every 30,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) or so. Of course, you can't lubricate a sealed joint. Of course, you can't adjust a carburettor if your car doesn't have one. You probably don't need to change spark plugs every year if your manufacturer says they can go 30,000 miles (50,000 kilometers). What are these bloggers getting so worked up about? The danger with these modern-day myths is that they prevent people from taking care of the routine preventive auto maintenance manufacturers recommend. Check out this partial list of things you still need to do to take care of your car. How many of them are really any different today than they were 20 or 30 years ago?

Oil change, cooling system service, transmission service, tire balancing, tire rotation, wheel alignment, suspension service, power steering service, proper tire inflation, brake service, differential service, battery maintenance, engine air filter, PCV valve, breather element, fuel filter, belts, hoses, timing belt, windshield wipers . . .

You get the picture. Your vehicle is still a machine that needs to be maintained. And, hey, your service advisors at Speedy Lube have always adapted to keep pace with automotive technology. Next time you encounter an angry voice about your car care, talk to your service advisor at Speedy Lube or do your own research.

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