5 car servicing myths you must absolutely ignore

Car ownership can be a bewildering thing for first-time owners, especially when the topic of vehicle maintenance comes up. You'd probably have read plenty of information regarding this and received advice from well-meaning friends and relatives as well.

But with so much info out there, you'll inevitably come across myths as well. And if you can't tell fact from fiction, you could end up damaging your car by following the wrong advice.

That's why we've put together this list of the most common car maintenance myths to help you discern what's right and what's wrong.

Myth #1: Cars are generally reliable, so you don't have to follow the oil change schedule.

Modern cars, especially Asian makes, are generally reliable. But that doesn't mean they don't require any maintenance.

Let's say your next oil change is due when your car reaches 30,000km. It won't break down just because you had the oil changed at 30,500km instead. Engines are engineered to tolerate variances in maintenance.

However, that doesn't mean you should service your car at 40,000km or wait a few months more. Oil degrades through use and over time, which reduces its protective properties. Always follow the carmaker's recommended service schedule for best results.

Myth #2: Tyres should only be changed according to mileage and wear.

Neglecting your tyres is a no-no because they're the only part of the car constantly in contact with the road. Now, when should they be replaced? Is it when they finally wear out? Or according to mileage?

To be safe, tyres should be replaced under the following conditions:

- When they are worn close to the wear indicator

- If the tyre is cracked or has tears in the sidewall

- If the tread wear is very uneven (e.g. half the tread is worn, the other half is still fresh)

There is no set mileage that dictates when a tyre should be replaced. However, even if you maintain the correct air pressures and rotate them regularly, we'd still recommend changing the tyres every three years.

This is because even if they're not worn, the rubber would have hardened over time, which could compromise the tyre's safety.

Myth #3: Tyres will wear out anyway, so rotating them is unnecessary.

Yes, tyres will eventually wear out. But the reason why you must rotate your tyres regularly (every 10,000km or even 5,000km is good practice) is to help them wear more evenly.

You see, each tyre is subject to different stresses. The front tyres in a front-wheel drive car, for instance, handle both steering and power transfer, so they can experience more wear than the rear tyres.

However, if your car has staggered tyre sizes, wherein the rear tyres are larger and/or wider than the front ones, you can only swop the left and right sides. A full tyre rotation isn't possible in this case.

ALSO READ: 8 recommended car workshops that help you do motor accident repair and claims

Myth #4: I can save money by not changing other fluids.

Other necessary fluids such as coolant, brake, power steering, and automatic transmission fluids must be replaced according to the manufacturer's schedule because they are vital not just for your car, but your safety as well.

Coolant, for instance, is responsible for helping maintain the engine's operating temperature. Meanwhile, your brakes won't work without brake fluid.

These fluids degrade over time due to heat and humidity. More moisture in the brake fluid, for instance, reduces its boiling point. When this happens, your brakes become more prone to fading in hot weather and/or under heavy use - not ideal when you need to stop quickly!

Myth #5: Battery replacement can still wait.

Most car batteries, especially for vehicles without a stop-start function, have a two-year service life. It's possible for it to last longer if conditions are ideal, and if the voltage reading is still within an acceptable range.

That said, we'd still advise that you buy a new battery every two years. You don't want to risk getting stranded because the battery suddenly went flat and left you unable to start your car.

Jump-starting a flat battery is possible, of course, but if its condition has deteriorated badly, even this may not work. Either way, regular batteries do not cost much, so just replace them every two years to avoid any inconvenience.

This article was first published in sgCarMart.