8 misconceptions about car maintenance that reduce vehicle safety

1. Engine oil should be changed every 5,000 (km)

This is only true for the first 5,000 (km) of a vehicle because this is the initial period when the vehicle needs lubrication and wear and tear on all parts. Once the vehicle is operating stably, this does not bring much benefit.

Although many oil companies and oil change shops recommend this, it is often not necessary.Changing the oil regularly won't harm your engine, but it will cost you a pretty penny.

2. Clean the engine

A clean engine compartment will give you peace of mind than a dusty one. However, to clean the engine compartment, many people use high-pressure sprayers to spray strongly on the engine and the "nooks and crannies" in the compartment. This can sometimes cause damage to the vehicle.

Today's cars use a lot of electronic technology to control the engine and auxiliary equipment, so having water in the engine compartment can cause damage to the above electronic equipment.

3. Inflate the tire to the pressure indicated on the tire sidewall.

The psi (pounds per square inch) number printed on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure the tire can handle, not the ideal pressure the manufacturer recommends for the vehicle to achieve the best balance of braking, handling, fuel efficiency and comfort.

Therefore, it is not advisable to inflate your tires to this psi. Check your tire pressure monthly and keep it at the proper pressure.

4. If the brake fluid is low, topping it up may solve the problem.

In fact, as the brake pads wear, the brake fluid level in the reservoir will decrease, which allows you to control the brakes. If the fluid level drops below the Low mark on the reservoir, either your brakes are worn too much or the fluid is leaking.

In either case, you should have your car serviced immediately. Get in the habit of checking your brakes every 6,000 to 7,000 miles (9,656 to 11,265 km).

5. Change the coolant every time you change the oil.

In reality, the coolant doesn’t need to be changed very often. Most owner’s manuals recommend changing the coolant every five years or 60,000 miles (96,560 km). Of course, if the coolant level in the radiator is often low, check for leaks and get it serviced as soon as possible.

6. Let the vehicle idle (to warm up the engine) for a few minutes before driving.

This is true for older cars only. Modern engines warm up faster when running. The faster the engine warms up, the faster the car reaches its maximum performance, saves fuel and performs better. However, do not accelerate too quickly during the first few miles while the engine is warming up.

7. Recharge dead battery using only jump start

It takes hours of driving to get a battery back to full capacity - this is because many car devices use large amounts of power, such as heated seats (in winter) or air conditioning, making it impossible to quickly charge a dead battery.

Drivers need to bring the battery to the warranty center to check how much charge it has, and if necessary, replace it. To restore the battery to a full state, you need to spend a few hours charging it.

8. Maintain all vehicle parts

Finally, many drivers think that all parts assembled on the vehicle are capable of maintenance or repair when they consult with unprofessional or uninformed car maintenance technicians as recommended by the manufacturer.

In fact, for many current car models, some detail clusters are maintenance-free and only require inspection; in case of damage, the only solution is to replace them accordingly.

Making smart choices when it comes to vehicle maintenance and understanding the manufacturer's recommended maintenance practices is a priority when it comes to vehicle ownership.