We\u2019ve all heard legends and old wives\u2019 tales that defy logical explanation, yet Uncle Buck and Cousin Vinny absolutely swear by them. Like the majestic Jackalope, many car myths are just begging to be busted.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are six car myths debunked:<\/span><\/p>\n Car Myths Debunked Because They Used to Be True<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Change y<\/strong><\/b>our o<\/strong><\/b>il every 3,000 m<\/strong><\/b>iles.<\/strong><\/b> This is the quintessential \u201cused-to-be-true\u201d situation, because back in the 1970s and 1980s this was the case. But modern lubrication and engine technologies have increased oil change intervals to at least 5,000 miles, and some automakers recommend oil changes as infrequently as every 15,000 miles. Your best bet is to check your owner\u2019s manual and follow those instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n Manual t<\/strong><\/b>ransmission = b<\/strong><\/b>etter f<\/strong><\/b>uel economy.<\/strong><\/b> Again, it used to be true that automatic transmissions were less economical than manual transmissions, particularly before the invention of the locking torque converter. In actuality, today\u2019s automatic transmissions easily rival manual transmissions, both in performance and fuel economy.<\/span><\/p>\n Diesels are d<\/strong><\/b>irty.<\/strong><\/b> Here in America, thanks to older diesel cars and big rigs, diesel fuel has gotten a bad rap. Modern low-sulfur diesel fuel and modern small turbodiesel engines, however, have been proven to deliver better fuel economy and generate fewer emissions than gasoline engines and older diesel engines.<\/span><\/p>\n Car Myths Debunked Because They Never Were True<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Top off your brake fluid if it\u2019s l<\/strong><\/b>ow.<\/strong><\/b> For the most part, your brake system is a sealed system. Brake fluid doesn\u2019t evaporate or go anywhere, and the level is actually a great indicator of brake wear. When brake pads,\u00a0<\/span>rotors<\/a><\/strong>, shoes and drums are new, brake fluid level should be at the \u201cfull\u201d mark. As brake pads wear down, or if there is a leak, because of damage or corrosion, the fluid level will drop. If brake fluid level is \u201clow,\u201d<\/span> check the condition of your brakes<\/a><\/strong> and inspect for possible leaks.<\/span><\/p>\n Premium fuel will make your car run b<\/strong><\/b>etter.<\/strong><\/b> You hear the word \u201cpremium\u201d and automatically think \u201cbetter,\u201d but what are premium fuels better at? Some premium brands may contain more cleaning additives, and high-octane gasoline, 94 octane versus 84 octane, will prevent pinging in high-compression engines. On the other hand, using 84 octane fuel will save you a few bucks at the pump and won\u2019t harm your engine in any way. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency requires that all fuel sold in the United States meet specific purity levels and engine-cleaning additives.<\/span><\/p>\n Texting and refueling = BOOM.<\/strong><\/b> In a very precise setting, under laboratory-level conditions, in which air currents and fuel vapor concentrations are exactly controlled, one could possibly use a cell phone to start a fire. However, the<\/span> Federal Communications Commission<\/a><\/strong> investigated claims that such a thing has ever happened, and they reported that \u201cthere is no evidence that these reports are true.\u201d So go ahead, check your email, make a phone call or write a text message, while waiting for your tank to fill up.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re worried about taking care of your car the right way, the best thing you can do is refer to the owner\u2019s manual. The automaker knows how to advise you on taking care of your car, and the information is right there at your fingertips. So cracking the case on car myths is as easy as opening up the manual and laughing at yourself when you realize how long you\u2019ve believed something that just isn\u2019t true.<\/span><\/p>\n For more information on car care, you can chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local<\/span> NAPA AUTO PARTS store<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo Credit:<\/span>\u00a0Old Stick Shift<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0by<\/span>\u00a0Ian.Kobylanski<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(<\/span>CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/strong>).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n