Myths vs. Reality: Debunking Common Beliefs
The Premium Fuel Myth: We Put Regular Gas in a Supercar to See What Happens.
My friend was convinced his Porsche required premium fuel. We decided to test the myth. He ran his tank close to empty and filled it with regular 87-octane gas. For the first few miles of normal driving, he noticed no difference. However, when he tried to accelerate hard, the car felt noticeably sluggish. Modern engines have knock sensors that detect the lower-octane fuel and retard the engine timing to prevent damage. So, while the car won’t explode, you are paying for performance that the engine is electronically preventing you from using.
The Biggest Lie Car Salesmen Still Tell (And People Still Believe).
The biggest lie is: “What monthly payment do you want to be at?” I told a salesman I could only afford $600 a month on a $50,000 car. He came back with a contract for $595. I almost signed it until I saw the fine print. To hit my payment number, he had extended the loan term to 84 months, added a high interest rate, and offered me very little for my trade-in. The lie isn’t that they can get you the payment; it’s what they have to manipulate behind the scenes to make it happen.
“You Have to Let Your Car Warm Up Before Driving.” Is This True?
My dad always insisted on letting his car idle for five minutes in the winter to “warm up.” I asked my mechanic if this was necessary for modern cars. He said it’s a myth. Modern fuel-injected engines don’t need to be idled to warm up. In fact, the best way to warm up a car is to drive it gently for the first few minutes. The engine and, more importantly, the transmission and other fluids, will warm up much faster under a light load than they will just sitting in the driveway.
The “Break-In Period” for a New Car: Necessary Ritual or Outdated Advice?
When I bought my new car, the salesman mentioned a 1,000-mile “break-in period.” I researched if this was still relevant. While modern manufacturing tolerances are much better than in the past, engineers I spoke to confirmed it’s still good advice. The process allows the piston rings to seat properly against the cylinder walls and for all the new mechanical components to mesh together. It’s recommended to vary your engine speed and avoid hard acceleration or prolonged high-RPM driving during this period to ensure the long-term health and performance of the engine.
Myth Busted: Are Red Cars Really More Expensive to Insure?
I was about to buy a red car and worried about the insurance myth. I called my agent and asked her to run quotes for the exact same model of car in three different colors: red, black, and white. The quotes came back, and they were all identical to the penny. She confirmed that insurance companies do not use car color as a rating factor. They care about the car’s year, make, model, engine size, and the driver’s record, but the color of the paint has absolutely zero impact on your premium.
“German Cars Are Unreliable.” We Analyzed the Data.
The myth is that German cars are inherently unreliable. The reality is more nuanced. I looked at long-term reliability data from Consumer Reports. Brands like BMW and Mercedes often score lower than Lexus or Toyota. However, the data shows this is often due to complex electronic features failing, not major engine or transmission failures. A German car is not necessarily “unreliable,” but it is more “complex.” This complexity means there are more potential points of failure, especially as the car ages. They require diligent, and often expensive, maintenance.
Do You Really Need to Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles?
The 3,000-mile oil change is an old myth that was true for older cars using conventional oil. My new car’s manual recommends an oil change every 10,000 miles or once a year, using modern synthetic oil. I sent a sample of my oil to a lab after 8,000 miles. The analysis showed the oil was still in excellent condition and had plenty of life left. For a modern car using synthetic oil, changing it every 3,000 miles is a complete waste of money. Following the manufacturer’s recommendation is perfectly safe.
The Truth About “Lifetime” Fluids in Your Transmission and Differential.
My car’s manufacturer claimed it had “lifetime” transmission fluid that never needed to be changed. At 80,000 miles, my mechanic strongly advised me to change it. He explained that “lifetime” really just means the lifetime of the warranty period. All fluids break down over time with heat and use. I had him change the fluid, and the transmission shifted noticeably smoother. That simple, $400 service likely saved me from a future $7,000 transmission rebuild. “Lifetime” fluids are a marketing myth, not a mechanical reality.
“AWD is Safer in the Rain.” Not So Fast.
My friend with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) SUV thought he was invincible in the rain. He’s only half right. AWD is fantastic for acceleration in slippery conditions. It helps you get going from a stoplight without spinning your wheels. However, it does absolutely nothing to help you stop or turn. Your ability to brake and corner is determined by your tires, not your drivetrain. An AWD system can give a false sense of security, causing drivers to go too fast and then realize they can’t stop or steer any better than a two-wheel-drive car.
The Myth of the “Garage Queen”: Does Not Driving a Car Actually Harm It?
My neighbor kept his classic Ferrari in a climate-controlled bubble, never driving it. He thought he was preserving it. He was actually harming it. When a car sits for long periods, rubber seals and gaskets can dry out and crack, leading to leaks. Fluids can stagnate and corrode internal components. The battery will die. A car is a complex machine designed to move. The best way to preserve a car is to drive it gently and regularly, allowing the fluids to circulate and keeping all the mechanical parts in working order.
“Electric Cars Produce Zero Emissions.” Let’s Talk About the Battery.
This statement is a classic half-truth. While it’s true that an EV has zero tailpipe emissions, the full picture is more complex. The manufacturing process, particularly for the battery, is energy-intensive and involves mining rare earth metals. And the electricity used to charge the car often comes from power plants that burn fossil fuels. So, while an EV is cleaner in its daily operation, there are significant “upstream” emissions from its production and the generation of its power.
Can a Magnet Really Improve Your Fuel Economy? (We Tested It).
We saw an ad for a device you clip onto your fuel line that claimed its powerful magnets would “align fuel molecules” and dramatically improve gas mileage. It sounded like nonsense, so we tested it. We installed the $50 device on a car and carefully tracked its fuel economy over two full tanks of gas. The result? Absolutely zero change. The car’s MPG was identical with and without the magic magnet. It’s a classic example of a “snake oil” product that preys on people’s desire to save money on gas.
“Manual Cars Are More Fuel Efficient.” Not Anymore.
This was true for decades. Older automatic transmissions were inefficient and had only three or four gears. A skilled driver with a five-speed manual could easily get better mileage. Today, this myth is busted. Modern automatic and dual-clutch transmissions now have 8, 9, or even 10 gears. Their sophisticated computer controls can shift faster and more efficiently than any human, keeping the engine in its most economical RPM range at all times. In most modern cars, the automatic version is now rated for better fuel economy than the manual.
The Myth of the “Italian Tune-Up.”
The old myth of the “Italian Tune-Up” says that if your classic car is running rough, you should take it out on the highway and drive it at high RPMs to “blow out the carbon deposits.” I asked a classic car mechanic about this. He laughed. He said that while a good, hard drive can be beneficial for a car that is driven too gently, it’s not a magical fix. If your engine has a real problem, like a fouled spark plug or a clogged fuel filter, no amount of aggressive driving will solve it.
“A Dirty Car is More Aerodynamic.” The Golf Ball Myth, Busted.
The hosts of the show MythBusters famously tested this theory. The idea is that the layer of dirt on a car acts like the dimples on a golf ball, creating a turbulent air boundary that reduces drag. They tested a car’s fuel economy when it was clean and then again after covering it in a layer of dirt. Their scientific testing proved the myth was false. The dirty car was actually less aerodynamic and used slightly more fuel. A clean, waxed car is the most slippery.
Does Turning Off Your A/C Actually Save a Noticeable Amount of Gas?
To test this, I drove a set 50-mile loop on the highway twice in my car. The first time, I had the air conditioning on full blast. The second time, with the windows up, I had the A/C completely off. My car’s computer showed a difference in fuel economy of about 2 miles per gallon. The A/C compressor puts a noticeable load on the engine, and turning it off does result in a real, measurable fuel saving. On a long road trip, this could add up to an extra 20-30 miles per tank.
The Truth About Nitrogen in Your Tires: Gimmick or Genius?
The Costco tire center offered to fill my tires with nitrogen for an extra fee, claiming it was better than regular air. I looked into the science. Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules, so they are less likely to seep out through the rubber over time. This means your tire pressure remains more stable. It’s also less susceptible to pressure changes with temperature. This is why it’s used in race cars. For a normal driver, the benefit is minimal, but it is technically superior to plain air.
“You Can’t Jump-Start a Modern Luxury Car.” We Tried It.
We tested this myth on a late-model BMW. The fear is that a power surge from a jump-start can fry the car’s sensitive electronics. We followed the owner’s manual precisely. It instructed us not to connect the jumper cable directly to the battery in the trunk, but to use the dedicated positive and negative jump-start terminals under the hood. The car started perfectly with no issues. The myth is partially true: you can’t jump-start it incorrectly. But if you follow the manufacturer’s procedure, it is perfectly safe.
“All-Season Tires Are Good Enough.” A Winter Driving Test Proves Otherwise.
My friend insisted his all-season tires were fine for our snowy climate. I have dedicated winter tires on my car. We went to an empty, snow-covered parking lot to test. In a braking test from 20 mph, my car stopped a full car-length shorter than his. His car struggled to even get moving from a stop, while mine had no issues. The test proved that the soft rubber compound and special tread of winter tires provide a dramatic and crucial advantage in snow and ice that all-seasons simply cannot match.
The Myth of “Horsepower”: Why Torque is What You Actually Feel.
People are obsessed with horsepower numbers. But what you feel in your daily driving is torque. I drove two cars with 300 horsepower. One was a high-revving Honda, the other a turbocharged Volkswagen. The VW felt much faster around town because its turbo engine produced a lot of torque at low RPMs, giving me that “pushed back in your seat” feeling. The Honda needed to be revved high to feel fast. Horsepower is what gives you top speed; torque is what gives you acceleration.
“Hand Washing is Always Better Than a Car Wash.” It Depends.
A professional detailer showed me why this is a myth. If you hand-wash your car incorrectly—using one bucket, a dirty sponge, or the wrong soap—you are essentially grinding dirt and grit into your paint, creating fine scratches called “swirl marks.” A modern, touchless automatic car wash that uses high-pressure water and soap is actually safer for your paint than a bad hand wash. The quality of the method, not the method itself, is what matters most.
Do Spoilers on Sedans Actually Do Anything?
I asked an aerodynamics engineer about the small “lip” spoiler on the back of my friend’s sedan. He explained that at legal highway speeds, its effect is almost zero. A spoiler needs to be much larger and the car needs to be traveling at speeds well over 100 mph to generate any meaningful downforce. On a typical family sedan, a factory spoiler is a purely cosmetic accessory. It’s there to make the car look sportier, but it provides no real performance benefit in everyday driving.
The “Dealer-Installed Options” Myth: A Pure Profit Center.
When I bought my car, the final contract had a $500 charge for “nitrogen-filled tires” and a $400 charge for “anti-theft window etching.” These are classic dealer-installed add-ons that are almost pure profit. A tire shop charges about $5 per tire for nitrogen. The window etching costs the dealer next to nothing. These are often pre-installed on cars on the lot and presented as non-negotiable features. Always question these charges and be prepared to walk away if they won’t remove them.
“You Have to Service Your Car at the Dealership to Keep the Warranty.” False.
This is a myth that dealers love to perpetuate. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law, states that a manufacturer cannot void your warranty just because you had service or repairs performed at an independent shop. As long as you use the correct fluids and parts and keep detailed records of the service, your warranty remains intact. You have the right to have your car serviced wherever you choose.
The Myth That a Heavier Car is Always Safer.
While physics dictates that in a two-car collision, the heavier car often fares better, it’s not the whole story. I saw crash test data comparing a modern, small SUV with an older, larger sedan. The small SUV performed much better. Modern cars are designed with advanced crumple zones, high-strength steel safety cages, and multiple airbags that absorb and redirect crash energy. A modern, well-engineered lighter car is often much safer than an older, heavier car that lacks these advanced safety features.
“Closing Your Vents Makes the A/C Work Harder.” We Look at the Science.
My mom always said that closing some air vents would over-pressurize the A/C system and damage it. This is a myth. A car’s A/C system is designed to handle this. Closing some vents simply increases the airflow through the remaining open vents. It doesn’t put any extra strain on the A/C compressor or any other part of the system. In fact, if you want to cool down one specific area of the car faster, closing other vents is an effective way to do it.
The Most Persistent Automotive Old Wives’ Tales.
I asked my grandfather about the car myths he grew up with. He said people used to put mothballs in the gas tank, thinking it would boost octane. Another one was that you should put a penny in a fuse holder if a fuse blew. These are not only myths but are incredibly dangerous. The most persistent one, however, is that you can top off a car battery with regular tap water (it requires distilled water). These old wives’ tales are a fascinating look at a bygone era of automotive “wisdom.”
“You Should Inflate Your Tires to the Max PSI on the Sidewall.” (Don’t Do This).
A friend of mine thought the “Max Press” number on his tire’s sidewall was the recommended pressure. He inflated his tires to 51 PSI. This is a dangerous myth. That number is the maximum pressure the tire can safely hold, not the recommended operating pressure. The correct pressure is listed on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. Over-inflating your tires reduces the contact patch with the road, decreases grip, and creates a harsh, bouncy ride. Always use the car manufacturer’s recommendation.
The Myth of the “Unbiased” Car Reviewer.
As a former car journalist, I can tell you that true “unbiased” reviews are a myth. Every reviewer has their own inherent biases. One reviewer might prioritize a comfortable ride, while another might value sharp handling above all else. A reviewer who has a long-standing relationship with a brand might subconsciously be more favorable. The key is not to find an unbiased reviewer, but to find a reviewer whose priorities and tastes align with your own, and to watch multiple reviews to get a balanced perspective.
“A K&N Air Filter Will Add 15 Horsepower.” Let’s Go to the Dyno.
My friend was convinced the K&N “drop-in” air filter he bought would add huge power to his car. We took his car to a dynamometer to test it. We did three runs with the stock paper filter, and then swapped in the K&N filter and did three more runs. The result? A gain of about 2 horsepower, which is within the margin of error for the dyno. While these filters may flow slightly better, the dramatic horsepower claims are a marketing myth. The real-world gains are minimal.
The Truth About Octane Boosters.
I saw a bottle of “Octane Booster” at the auto parts store that promised to turn regular gas into race fuel. A petroleum engineer explained the reality. Most of these products only raise the octane level by a few points, not full numbers. For example, it might raise 87-octane gas to 87.3. It will not turn your regular fuel into 93-octane premium. While some high-quality boosters can help prevent knock in a high-performance engine, they are not a magic bullet to create cheap, high-octane fuel.
The Myth That Only “Bad” Drivers Need Driver-Assist Features.
My friend, a self-proclaimed “great driver,” scoffed at features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. He saw them as crutches for bad drivers. Then, on a long, fatiguing road trip, his car’s blind-spot monitor alerted him to a car he hadn’t seen, preventing a bad accident. He realized that even the best drivers can get tired or distracted. These features are not a replacement for a good driver, but an invaluable electronic safety net that can save even the most skilled driver from a momentary lapse in concentration.
“A Manual Transmission is More Reliable.” A Mechanic Weighs In.
I asked my mechanic, who has 30 years of experience, about this myth. He said in the past, it was true. Old automatic transmissions were complex and prone to failure. But today, it’s a different story. He sees far more issues with modern, complex dual-clutch transmissions than he does with modern, robust “torque converter” automatics. A manual is mechanically simpler, but a worn-out clutch is still an expensive repair. He said a well-maintained modern automatic is now just as, if not more, reliable than its manual counterpart.
The Myth That All EVs Are Faster Than Gas Cars.
Because of videos of Teslas beating supercars, people think all EVs are incredibly fast. We tested a base model Nissan Leaf against a basic Honda Civic. In a race from 0 to 60 mph, the Honda Civic was actually slightly faster. While high-end performance EVs are indeed some of the quickest accelerating cars on the planet, the more affordable, entry-level EVs are designed for efficiency, not speed. Their acceleration is often modest and comparable to that of a standard economy car.
“You Should Replace All Four Tires at Once on an AWD Car.” Is This True?
I got a flat tire on my all-wheel-drive Subaru and the tire shop told me I needed to replace all four tires. I thought it was a scam. My mechanic confirmed it’s true. An AWD system is designed to work when all four wheels are spinning at the same speed. If you replace just one tire, the new tire will have a slightly larger circumference than the three worn tires. This difference can put a constant strain on the car’s center differential, leading to premature and very expensive failure.
The Myth That a Lease is Just “Renting” and a Waste of Money.
My uncle always said leasing is “throwing money away.” This is a common myth. For someone who likes to get a new car every three years, a lease can be financially smarter than buying. You are only paying for the car’s depreciation during the time you use it, which often results in a lower monthly payment. While you don’t build equity, you also don’t have to worry about the car’s long-term resale value or out-of-warranty repairs. For the right person, a lease is a smart financial tool.
“Carbon Ceramic Brakes Are Better for the Street.” (They’re Not).
A friend of mine bought a used Porsche with optional carbon ceramic brakes, thinking they were a cool upgrade. He quickly learned they are terrible for street driving. They are incredibly noisy and squeal loudly when they are cold. They also have a wooden, non-responsive feel until they get up to very high track temperatures. While they are amazing on a racetrack for their fade-resistance, they are noisy, expensive, and less effective in normal driving conditions than standard steel brakes.
The Myth That You Can “Reset” a Check Engine Light by Disconnecting the Battery.
My friend’s check engine light came on. He disconnected the car’s battery for 30 minutes to try and “clear the code.” The light went off, and he thought he had fixed it. A day later, the light came back on. Disconnecting the battery only clears the temporary memory of the car’s computer. It doesn’t fix the underlying problem that caused the light to turn on in the first place. The sensor will eventually detect the problem again and re-trigger the light.
“A Louder Car is a Faster Car.”
My neighbor put a very loud “muffler delete” exhaust on his slow economy car. He thought it made his car seem fast. This is a classic automotive myth. While many fast cars are loud, the noise itself does not create performance. In fact, a poorly designed loud exhaust can create a lack of backpressure that can actually reduce an engine’s torque and performance. True performance comes from engineering, not just from making a lot of noise.
The Myth That a Higher Price Tag Always Means Higher Quality.
I test-drove a $150,000 hand-built British sports car. It was beautiful, but the interior had some cheap plastic switches and the panel gaps were inconsistent. I then drove a $70,000 Lexus LS. The Lexus was flawlessly assembled with jewel-like precision. This proves that price is not always an indicator of quality. Sometimes, you are paying for a prestigious badge, a powerful engine, or exclusivity, not necessarily for superior build quality or materials.
“You Need a V8 for Real Performance.” The Porsche Cayman Would Disagree.
For years, the belief was that true performance required a big V8 engine. Then I drove a Porsche Cayman GTS with a flat-six engine. It was an absolute revelation. While it didn’t have the low-end grunt of a V8, its high-revving engine was a joy to use, and its lightweight, mid-engine layout provided a level of handling balance and agility that most heavy, front-engine V8 cars can’t match. It proved that real performance is about balance, handling, and driver engagement, not just the number of cylinders.
The Myth of the “Self-Healing” Paint Protection Film.
I had Paint Protection Film (PPF) installed on my car. The installer told me it was “self-healing.” I was skeptical. A few weeks later, I noticed a fine scratch on the hood from a tree branch. I parked the car in the sun on a warm day. I came back an hour later, and the scratch was completely gone. The myth is true, to a point. The film has a top layer that is a viscoelastic polymer. When it gets warm, it can flow back into its original, smooth state, erasing minor scratches. It won’t fix a deep gouge, but for fine scratches, it’s like magic.
“Convertibles Are Unsafe in a Rollover.” A Look at Modern Engineering.
This was true for older convertibles. But I researched the safety systems on a modern Mercedes convertible. It’s a different world. The A-pillars (the pillars on the side of the windshield) are reinforced with ultra-high-strength steel. Most impressively, if the car’s sensors detect an imminent rollover, a set of incredibly strong roll hoops will explosively deploy from behind the rear seats in a fraction of a second. This modern engineering creates a robust safety cell that makes a modern convertible surprisingly safe in a rollover.
The Myth That You Need to Be a Mechanic to Own a Classic Car.
I bought my first classic car, an MGB, knowing very little about mechanics. I was nervous. But I discovered the power of the community. I joined a local club and an online forum. When I had a problem, I could post a picture and get advice from people who had solved the exact same issue. With a good set of basic tools and the help of YouTube, I learned how to do my own tune-ups and simple repairs. You don’t need to be a mechanic; you just need to be willing to learn.
“You Can Tell a Car’s Condition by its Mileage.” Not Always.
I looked at two used cars. One had 50,000 miles but had been used as a city commuter, with worn brakes and a tired interior. The other had 100,000 miles but was owned by a salesman who did all his driving on the highway. It had meticulous service records and looked brand new. The high-mileage car was in far better condition. How a car was used and maintained is much more important than the simple number on the odometer. Highway miles are much easier on a car than city miles.
The Myth That Fuel from “Top Tier” Gas Stations is Better.
I always thought gas was just gas. But I learned about the “Top Tier” gasoline standard. A group of major automakers, including BMW, GM, and Honda, developed a standard for gasoline with a higher concentration of detergent additives. These detergents help prevent and remove carbon deposits from engine components like fuel injectors and intake valves. While the base gasoline is the same, using gas from a “Top Tier” station like Shell, Mobil, or Chevron really does help keep your engine cleaner and running more efficiently over the long term.
“A CPO Car is as Good as New.” Let’s Look at the Fine Print.
A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) car is a great option, but it’s not “as good as new.” I was looking at a CPO BMW. While it came with a great warranty, I noticed the tires were at the legal minimum tread depth and the brakes had significant wear. The “150-point inspection” ensures the car is safe and functional, but it doesn’t guarantee that wear-and-tear items are new. You are still buying a used car, and you may be facing a bill for new tires or brakes sooner than you think.
The Myth That Car Alarms Actually Stop Thieves.
My neighbor’s car alarm would go off constantly. Everyone on the street just ignored it. A security expert confirmed that the classic, siren-based car alarm is mostly useless. Professional thieves know how to disable them quickly, and the general public has become so desensitized to the noise that no one pays any attention. A modern, silent alarm system that sends a notification to your phone and tracks the car’s GPS location is a far more effective deterrent and recovery tool.
The Myth That You Can’t Negotiate on a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce.
While you can’t walk in and offer 20% off a new Rolls-Royce, the idea that the price is completely fixed is a myth. I spoke with a broker who deals with these cars. He said there is still room for negotiation, but it’s done differently. You might negotiate for the inclusion of certain expensive options at no cost, or for a more favorable price on your trade-in. The negotiation is more subtle and relationship-based, but for a serious buyer, there is always a “deal” to be had.
The Biggest Myth of All: That a Car is Just a Way to Get from A to B.
My non-car friends always tell me, “It’s just transportation.” This is the biggest myth of all. For an enthusiast, a car is never just about getting from A to B. It’s a piece of art, a feat of engineering, and a source of incredible joy. It’s a passport to a community and an escape from the stresses of daily life. It’s a hobby, a passion, and a form of self-expression. To say it’s “just transportation” is to completely miss the point.