Every car owner in the UAE needs to hear some of the best practices for keeping their vehicle in good shape. However, advice can come from many different sides – whether it’s friends or family, the car manufacturer or the service station, not every piece of advice is valid and can be taken for granted.
Today’s blog is meant just for that – to debunk some of the common car maintenance myths and show you nothing but the truth.
1. Rolling down your windows instead of using the AC will save fuel
This is not entirely a car myth as it is a practice that drivers in the UAE have nowadays, but it is also not a fact you should live by. Truth is, the difference between air from your windows and using your AC won’t count as much. Using the AC system consumes fuel faster, but the resistance from having your windows open while driving will also make your car less fuel-efficient.
Overall, the difference in fuel consumption doesn’t matter that much – which is why you should be comfortable with either option. If you are going on the highway, though, the AC will always be a better idea and one that will bring you more comfort and fuel efficiency.
2. Premium fuel is always better for your car
Fuel with a higher octane rating can stand up to higher compression before detonating. The higher the octane rating is, the lower the likelihood of detonation at the wrong time. However, unless your vehicle is turbocharged by maximum, you don’t actually require those high octanes as the ones found in premium fuel options.
Filling up with regular fuel won’t make a big difference, whether that is going faster, performing better, or getting more kilometers with less fuel. When it comes to additives, you should always consult with your trusted service station. And if your car requires only premium fuel, don’t think twice and fill up with premium. Under normal circumstances, however, there won’t be a difference.
3. If you have a damaged tyre, you need to replace all four at the same time
This is nothing but a myth that some tyre shops use to make people buy more products. In reality, replacing one tyre when it’s damaged is just fine. After all, buying four tyres each time this happens can be a huge investment for each driver.
Secondly, tyres can often be patched instead of replaced, which makes sense if the damage on the sidewall is minor. If the tyre does need replacing, you can proceed with it as long as you buy a tyre model and size from the same brand.
4. You need to change your coolant fluid and air filters when getting an oil change
Plenty of mechanics in the UAE recommend changing all of the air filters, as well as the coolant fluid when getting your oil changed. However, you may not do that every time – instead, you should read your car’s manual to see what the proper timing would be instead of getting ripped off by replacing them too often.
An oil change service, on the other hand, will always help your car’s engine to run more smoothly while reducing the wear on all of its moving parts. We recommend changing your oil between 7500 to 15,000 kilometers or a one-year interval as part of our minor oil service. To learn more about it, visit this link.
5. Seatbelts and airbags cause more harm than good
Lastly, this is a myth that just doesn’t make sense, yet many drivers believe in it. Some say that the risk of injury or death is increased by airbags and seatbelts, but researchers proved that wrong. They found that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death by 45%, and airbags can injure a person, but that percentage is very minimal compared to the number of lives they have saved.
Proper use of the seatbelts and airbag devices is not 100% guaranteed to save your life during a crash. However, statistics show that they do greatly increase your chances of surviving and/or avoiding serious injury or death.
Don’t believe everything you hear out there! If you have more questions about cars, driving, or car maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact us or book your appointment in one of our Dubai car service stations.