For a long time, there have been many myths around cars and everything related to them. Some of them were gradually successfully debunked, some of them still excite the minds of motorists. However, nothing prevents us from dealing with at least some common misconceptions.
Misconception No. 1: To read errors, you need to go to the service.
Over the past few decades, cars have become much more complex. Many electronic systems undoubtedly make driving more comfortable and safe, but at the same time they require attention from time to time. At the first problems, most motorists immediately go to the service, firmly believing that an error can only be considered there. But in vain. Adapters that allow you to get data from the “brains” of the car directly to your mobile phone have been on sale for a long time. Moreover, the necessary information can now be obtained even wirelessly. So you can track errors and even reset them without the intervention of specialists. The latter, of course, try not to advertise the free sale of the same OBD2 adapters. The adapters themselves, by the way, are not that expensive. Having refused the services of service personnel several times, their cost can be recouped with interest. We are not talking about saving time at all.
Misconception No. 2: Wipers need to be torn off the glass.
In Soviet times, wipers were a big shortage. It is not surprising that they were often taken home for the night or, at least, tried to make sure that they did not touch the glass in the cold season. Indeed, with no heating of the glass, the frozen wipers thawed for a very long time. But years later, this problem can hardly be considered relevant – even on the notorious “state employees”, heating of the lower part of the windshield is provided. Nevertheless, many motorists habitually tear the wipers off the glass, absolutely not taking into account that the springs of the glass cleaner mechanism stretch at the same time. As a result, over time, the wipers begin to clean the glass worse. Sinning on rubber bands, most car owners change them, but they often do not get the expected positive effect.
Misconception No. 3: A turned-off air conditioner and an open window help save fuel.
With the air conditioner running, fuel consumption increases slightly – a truth that does not require proof. And this forces some particularly economical motorists to abandon the life-giving coolness. Replacing the air conditioner, however, is quite fast. It usually becomes an open window. That’s just at urban speeds, there is usually not enough natural airflow to create a comfortable microclimate in the cabin. In traffic jams, an open window is completely akin to punishment – it becomes too noisy in the car, and you have to breathe exhaust fumes from neighboring cars. As a result, saving several hundred grams of fuel turns into outright discomfort. At suburban speeds, the situation is changing. The incoming air flow cools the interior more or less effectively, but the problem is that with the side window open, the aerodynamics of the car becomes worse. As a result, fuel consumption becomes even higher than with the air conditioner running.
Misconception No. 4: If you love your car, buy original spare parts.
Some motorists are especially proud of the fact that they buy exclusively original spare parts for their “swallow”. The high cost and the need to wait a couple of days for the necessary parts to be delivered is usually taken for granted. Meanwhile, even the manufacturers of spare parts themselves do not hide that the same parts go both on the conveyor and on free sale. The only difference is in the price and name. Moreover, it is usually the spare parts for after–sales service that have better characteristics or are simply more technologically advanced. It is also not worth rushing from one extreme to the other. Spare parts from an unknown manufacturer are also not worth buying. The savings here and now will be fully compensated by their low resource.
Misconception No. 5: It is not necessary for rear passengers to fasten their seat belts.
Previously, no one had been fined for unbuttoned rear passengers. So there is a myth that they do not have to fasten their seat belts at all. At the same time, we somehow forget that the laws of physics are valid for everyone sitting in the car without exception. In the event of an accident or an emergency stop of the car, both those who are sitting in front and those who are behind will strive to continue their movement at the same speed. And it is quite possible for rear passengers to reach the windshield or front panel in case of an accident. So everyone in the car needs to fasten their seat belts.
Misconception #6: Tinting is the best protection from the sun.
Glasses with a protective film applied to them really help protect the interior and the people in it from the sun’s rays. But the rules are negative about too much tinting. On cloudy days and in the evening, tinted windows will do a disservice. What to do? Take a closer look at car accessories and find special visors with yellow and gray filters among them. They are mounted and dismantled very simply, they protect from the sun and the headlights of oncoming cars no worse than tinting. Do not forget about the usual sunglasses. High-quality glasses will be much preferable for your eyes than a dark film pasted on the car windows in the nearest service.
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