Myths & Facts
Battery will drain without the engine running
The battery will drain without the engine running if the following circumstances are true Leaving the radio on Faulty security alarm wiring Leaving the interior or exterior lights on Faulty alternator Bad alternator diode
Safety belts are unnecessary at low speeds
False is this statement - "Safety belts are unnecessary for when driving at low speeds" Fact - If you experience a frontal collision driving at even 50 km per hour, if you’re not belted,
Stockings are good fanbelt replacements
False - Stockings do not make a good replacement for a fan belt. Modern vehicles have a serpentine belt that drives all the moving components attached to the engine and pantyhose stockings will not be able
Gear lever in park will not stop vehicle from falling off jack
True - Putting the gear lever into ‘Park’ won’t stop the vehicle from moving and falling off the jack, once lifted
You must sit upright close to the steering wheel
False - Sitting in an upright position close to the steering wheel is not a wise position as it inhibits the amount of movement that is required to safely manage the controls. A more reclined position,
Good shocks cut costs
True - Good shocks cut costs because worn ones cause tyre wear and damage the suspension. Worn shocks also affect brake control and can cause the car to sway dangerously, which undermines road safety.
Safety belts prevent you from escaping your vehicle during a crash
False - Safety belts prevent you from escaping your vehicle during a crash True - Safety belts can actually keep you from being knocked unconscious which will improve your chances of escaping during an accident.
Keep your foot on the clutch while driving to change gears more smoothly
False - Keeping your foot on the clutch while driving will not help you change gears more smoothly. Doing so would cause the thrust bearing to be overworked by the constant pressure from the fingers
Small cracks in a serpentine belt are bad
Small cracks in the ribs of a serpentine belt are common and do not mean the belt is bad. Fraying of the belt, exposure of the cord, deep cracks to the cords, missing pieces
Air-conditioning can increase CO2 emissions
Fact: Using your car’s air-conditioning can have an indirect impact on climate by increasing fuel consumption, which in turn increases CO2 emissions. Using your air-conditioning requires some additional fuel use by the engine to power
Properly worn seat belts seldom cause injuries
Fact: Properly worn seat belts seldom cause injuries. If they do, the injuries are usually surface bruises and are generally less severe than would have been the case without any belt. Without seat belts, you
You have to wash your car and car parts with water
Myth: You may not think about it, but washing your car the traditional way can be a big waste of water. Look for an earth-friendly waterless car wash product, which can be sprayed onto your
Battery light on means faulty battery
False: The battery or ‘power’ light comes on when there is a problem with the car’s charging system and tells you that the car is running on battery power alone. If you keep driving with
Stepping on brakes wastes petrol
Fact: Every time you use the brakes, you're wasting the 'acceleration' you've already used. Instead of moving your car, that energy is being transformed into steaming hot brake pads, they say. Instead, learn to anticipate
Dark oil is bad
Myth: All that is indicated by the coloration of your oil when you check it is that your oil is doing its job properly. That job partially involves removing and capturing contaminants and deposits from
Water in engine oil is bad
Fact: Water should never be allowed to get into the oil in your engine or gearbox. Otherwise, it will result in significant foaming, dramatically reducing the product's lubrication properties. Water in the engine - water
Clogged air filter causes poor fuel economy
Myth: Not to get it wrong – a dirty air filter is not ideal for car health. Yes, cleaning out your air filter will increase your engine’s overall performance. However, it ultimately doesn’t make much
Engine oils can cause sludge
Fact: Poor quality oils can contribute to sludge build-up. Sludge deposits are formed by a combination of dirt, soot, partially burned fuel, oxidized motor oil, leaked coolant and condensed water vapor produced during combustion. Good-quality
Petrol tank topping off is a good idea
Myth: Topping off the petrol tank is a good idea. Why not squeeze every last drop into your tank? Petrol expands in warmer weather, which means topped off petrol could likely wind up spilling
Car batteries – important facts and myths
Even if you're driving a petrol guzzling SUV, electricity remains crucial to driving a car. These days it all happens with the turn of a key or a press of a button. But beyond that
You get more fuel when you fill your tank in the morning
The logic behind this is that when temperatures are cool, fuel is denser, so you get more fuel per litre pumped. Fuel is stored in underground tanks, where the temperature hardly fluctuates. So the
Regular full tune-ups will extend your car’s life
Engines Engines are made up of a complex series of churning, pumping, and rotating components, all grinding away at each other and powered by a contained internal explosion. It’s no big surprise that they
Larger cars are safer in a crash
This one seems like it should make sense - after all, in the event of an impact, you would probably want more mass between you and the offending object, right? Well, maybe not. Recent
Engine oil should be changed every 5 000 km
It obviously won’t hurt your car to have the oil changed every few months, but it’s also not going to really help it either. Once again, you have the past to blame. Older engine
Fuel is wasted when car is turned on than when idling
Previously when most cars depended on carburettors to blend fuel and air for use by the engine, this particular myth probably had a bit more substance to it. However, modern fuel injection—which is used
