What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
There is an old myth that if you do use jet fuel, your car engine won't be able to handle the extra power and will catch fire. Well actually, the worst that can happen is that your car stalls out.
Cooler air means denser fuel, so you'll get more bang for your buck if you fill up in the morning, right? Nope, because gas temperature doesn't really change throughout the day.
If it's used in jets, and they're fast, then if you put in your car it will make it faster, right? Wrong. Jet fuel is made for aircraft and not cars. You wouldn't fuel a diesel engine with gasoline, right? It's the same principle!
Well, you do. Oil will get dirty as particles accumulate over time. Check you car's manual for instructions as to when it needs an oil change, and stick to it!
Your mechanic might recommend you change these when you change your oil, but you don't really have to. Check your car's manual beforehand for instructions on how often you should do it.
This is an old myth that happened to make sense in old vehicles. Recent engines no longer require you to change the oil so often.
This old myth doesn't apply to modern cars. Some experts recommend waiting around 30 seconds before you start driving, which many people will inadvertently do anyway.
This is not the case at all. You can indeed replace just one tire, as long as it's similar to the ones you already have. However, some experts recommend replacing them in pairs (the two in the front, or the two in the back).
There is no proof that electric cars are more likely to catch fire when compared with 'regular' cars.
A test by Popular Mechanics found that, in fact, it's the opposite. They also found that a tailgate with a mesh could be a fuel-efficient alternative.
Some cars do require a gas with higher octane level, but if this is not specified in your car's manual, then you're just wasting money.
It is true that some old cars needed to be tuned up throughout the years to perform at their best. But doing so regularly nowadays makes no sense as computers will check if there is anything that needs to be done.
Vehicle volume and weight is actually not as relevant as some people might think. Very small cars might be somewhat less safe, but the difference between a regular-sized hatchback and a crossover is negligible. It will boil down to the specific make and model.
Should you turn off your car or let it idle to save fuel? It depends on if you have an old or more recent car. Many cars nowadays even have a start-stop system, so that says something about the fuel economy of turning off the engine.
Reprogramming or completely replacing a car’s ECU (engine control unit) might have an impact on power output. However, these are not the vastly-sold cheap performance chips you'll find on eBay claiming to add X amount of horsepower to your car.
No traction control, stability control, lane assist, or sensors will correct a bad driver. This technology certainly helps, but it's no substitute for the human behind the wheel.
After all, you're placing power and steering on the same wheels—there's no way your car can handle it! While there is hint of truth in this myth, there are plenty of high-performance fun FWD cars on the market today, so don't dismiss them completely.
While there are certainly pros and cons of driving both new and old cars, overall older cars are a lot more unsafe to drive.
It is true that some cars become valuable classics that are worth a lot of money. But this takes time, and luck. In general terms, cars depreciate fast and are on very rare occasions considered an investment.
Everyone loves a lowrider, but aesthetics aside, is lower actually better? It depends. Shorter springs will be stiffer and have an impact on handling, but the problem is that most cars are not prepared for it. So if you're thinking of buying a lowering kit, make sure you do some research in advance.
Many people still believe that automatic gearboxes are no fun. While they might not feel the same, modern automatics are at the same level in terms of performance, speed, and fuel efficiency as manual gearboxes.
Cool air has higher density and therefore is better for an engine when compared to hot air, but cold air intakes hardly have any impact on performance.
With the exception of some (very) fast police cars, the majority of regular police cars are pretty average when it comes to power and speed.
Sources: (Family Handyman) (HotCars) (Popular Mechanics) (Insider)
It is true that some might be okay, but many of them are not even four-wheel-drive vehicles. And even the ones that are, well, they are more adapted to the road than to off-road conditions.
You've probably noticed the signs on gas stations, but what would actually happen if you use your cell phone? Apparently nothing. The destructive link between wireless technology and fuel vapors has not been proven.
We've all seen it in the movies, but would it work in real life? Well, if it's your only option, then by all means hide behind a car. But beware that bullets can go through it and hit you!
The opposite is true. Turning on the A/C will always consume more fuel.
It make sense to stop and put the top on, right? Well, yes, but if you were to drive fast enough, you wouldn't actually get wet. The only reason we don't endorse it is because it's actually quite dangerous, so don't do it. But now you know!
Discovery's 'MythBusters' actually tested this. The result was somewhat disappointing. The bullets just went through it. No fire. No explosion.
Many car myths have passed on from generation to generation. Some we take for granted because we learned from our parents, or simply because most people told us that was the way things were done. But it's now time to challenge some of the greatest myths about cars.
In this gallery, you'll discover myths that are completely false, those with a hint of truth to them, and why some myths still persist to this day. Click through to know more.
Understanding the truth behind popular car myths
It's time to debunk these common beliefs about cars
LIFESTYLE Cars
Many car myths have passed on from generation to generation. Some we take for granted because we learned from our parents, or simply because most people told us that was the way things were done. But it's now time to challenge some of the greatest myths about cars.
In this gallery, you'll discover myths that are completely false, those with a hint of truth to them, and why some myths still persist to this day. Click through to know more.