Look, we’ve all been there. You’re chatting with your mate down at the local pub in Milton Keynes, and somehow the conversation turns to cars. Before you know it, everyone’s chiming in with their “expert” advice on how to keep your motor running smoothly.

The trouble is, a lot of this well-meaning advice is complete rubbish. Some of these car maintenance myths have been knocking around for decades, and they just won’t seem to die. Some are harmless enough, but others? They could be costing you serious money or even damaging your pride and joy.

Let’s bust these myths once and for all, shall we?

1. You Need to Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles

“Change your oil every 3,000 miles or your engine will explode!” Okay, maybe nobody says it quite that dramatically, but this old chestnut has been around forever.

Here’s the truth: modern engines and today’s improved oils have made this advice as outdated as cassette tapes. Most cars these days can easily go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes, with some newer models stretching to a whopping 15,000 miles.

Don’t believe me? Mobil Oil did a study showing that if we all just followed what our car manuals actually say instead of this 3,000-mile nonsense, the UK would use about 30% less motor oil each year (Mobil Oil UK, 2023). That’s a lot of oil!

If you’re driving around Milton Keynes, just think about your typical journeys. Those short trips to the shopping centre are actually harder on your oil than a nice cruise down the M1. So check your owner’s manual, and save yourself some time and money.

2. Premium Fuel Makes Any Car Run Better

We’ve all been tempted by those fancy premium fuels, haven’t we? The ones with names like “Ultimate” or “Supreme” that cost 10p more per litre. Surely they must make your car purr like a kitten and zoom like a rocket, right?

Wrong. Unless your car specifically needs the high-octane stuff, you’re literally pouring money down the drain. And you’re not alone the AA found that about 63% of UK drivers occasionally use premium fuel in cars that don’t need it, collectively wasting over £150 million every year (AA Fuel Report, 2024). With fuel prices the way they are, who can afford to waste money like that?

Just check your fuel cap or manual. If it doesn’t specifically ask for premium, stick with regular unleaded and spend those extra quid on something you’ll actually enjoy.

3. You Must Warm Up Your Engine Before Driving

Every winter morning in Milton Keynes, you’ll see people sitting in their driveways, engines running, supposedly “warming up” their cars. Your dad probably told you this was essential, especially on frosty mornings.

This advice made sense back when cars had carburettors, but those days are long gone. Modern fuel-injected engines actually warm up faster when you’re driving them gently, not while idling on your driveway.

Not only are you wasting fuel, but you’re also contributing to pollution. The Department for Transport reckons unnecessary idling adds about 3% to the UK’s vehicle emissions (DfT Emissions Report, 2023).

So what should you do instead? Start your car, wait about 30 seconds for the oil to get moving, then drive off gently. Your engine will thank you, and so will your wallet and your neighbours might appreciate the peace and quiet too!

4. Dish Soap Is Fine for Washing Your Car

“I’ll just squeeze a bit of Fairy Liquid in the bucket it’ll be fine!” How many times have you heard (or said) that while preparing to wash your car on a Sunday morning?

I hate to break it to you, but that bottle of washing-up liquid is your car’s worst enemy. Dish soap is designed to strip away grease and oils including the protective oils in your car’s finish. The International Carwash Association found that household detergents can reduce your paint’s lifespan by up to 33% (ICA Paint Protection Study, 2022).

That’s especially important in Milton Keynes with all the road salt we see in winter. Invest in a proper car shampoo they’re not that expensive, and your paintwork will thank you for years to come.

5. You Should Completely Fill Your Fuel Tank

“Always keep your tank topped up to prevent condensation!” Sound familiar? This advice gets passed around like gospel, but it’s mostly a hangover from the days of older cars with less sophisticated fuel systems.

Modern fuel tanks are sealed systems that largely prevent condensation issues. What keeping a full tank does do, however, is make your car heavier and heavier cars use more fuel. The RAC says that every additional 45kg of weight decreases your fuel economy by about 1-2% (RAC Fuel Economy Guide, 2024). For a typical 55-litre tank, that’s roughly 40kg of extra fuel you’re lugging around unnecessarily.

A more sensible approach? Fill up when you’re down to a quarter tank. You’ll save yourself from running out of petrol while avoiding hauling around the extra weight, especially useful when navigating all those roundabouts Milton Keynes is famous for!

6. Engine Oil Additives Significantly Improve Performance

Walk into any motor shop in Milton Keynes and you’ll see shelves lined with magical oil additives promising everything from “Extended Engine Life!” to “Improved Performance!” and “Better Fuel Economy!”

Here’s what they should say: “Makes Your Wallet Lighter!” Which? tested these products and found that a whopping 78% of them failed to deliver on their claims (Which? Automotive Products Review, 2023).

Modern engine oils already have all the additives your engine needs, carefully formulated by engineers who know what they’re doing. Extra products are rarely necessary and might even interfere with your factory oil. Save your cash and stick with what your car’s manufacturer recommends.

7. You Need to Replace All Four Tyres at Once

Got one damaged tyre? “You’ll need to replace all four, mate!” While tyre shops might love this advice, it’s not always necessary.

If your other three tyres have plenty of tread left, replacing just the damaged one is perfectly fine in most cases. The exception is if you’ve got an all-wheel drive vehicle, where tyre circumference needs to stay relatively consistent to prevent drivetrain issues. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggests keeping tyre circumference differences under 2% for AWD systems (SMMT Tyre Guidelines, 2024).

For most of us driving around Milton Keynes though, dealing with everything from potholed estate roads to smooth motorways, replacing tyres in pairs (front or rear) when necessary is a sensible middle ground.

8. Batteries Last About 5 Years, No Matter What

“Time to replace the battery it’s been five years!” While five years might be the average lifespan, batteries aren’t keen followers of calendars.

The AA found that about 40% of car batteries pack it in before their fourth birthday, while around 25% soldier on past six years (AA Battery Report, 2023). Milton Keynes’ weather doesn’t help either our cold winters and warm summers put extra strain on batteries.

Those quick trips to Kingston Centre or Bletchley barely give your alternator time to wake up, let alone fully charge your battery. And let’s be honest getting stranded in the IKEA car park with frozen fingers trying to flag down help isn’t on anyone’s bucket list, is it? Don’t wait for your battery to die at the most inconvenient moment (which, by the way, is the only time they ever die). Get it tested before winter bites, especially if it’s been acting a bit temperamental lately.

9. If Your Brakes Squeal, They Need Immediate Replacement

Ever heard that heart-dropping squeak from your brakes and instantly felt your bank balance shrinking? “There goes the holiday fund,” you think, imagining pound signs floating out of your exhaust pipe.

Take a deep breath! That noise doesn’t automatically mean you’re about to drop three hundred quid at the garage. According to the clever folks at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, more than half of those squeaky brake complaints don’t actually need fixing right away (IAM RoadSmart Maintenance Survey, 2024).

Truth is, modern brakes can be a bit chatty, especially in our classic British drizzle. That morning screech when you back out of the drive? Probably just a bit of surface rust that’s formed overnight while your car was collecting Milton Keynes dew. One trip to Tesco and it’ll likely disappear.

Of course, if your brake pedal’s pulsating like it’s at a rave, or the squealing is louder than your kids arguing in the back seat, then yes get it checked. But a bit of occasional noise? That’s just brakes being brakes, mate.

10. Servicing at a Main Dealer Is Always Better Than Independent Garages

“You absolutely MUST go to the dealer or your warranty’s toast!” Absolute nonsense. This myth is as persistent as that weird smell in your mate’s old Vauxhall.

Here’s the reality check: UK law says your warranty stays valid regardless of where you service your car, as long as the work follows manufacturer guidelines and they use proper parts. The dealer doesn’t have magical spanners or secret oil that independent garages can’t get.

In fact, the tables have turned a JD Power study showed indies scored better on customer satisfaction (83%) than main dealers (79%) (JD Power UK CSI Study, 2023). Not exactly surprising when you’ve experienced both, is it?

Milton Keynes is full of brilliant independent garages where they actually remember your name, explain things without making you feel like an idiot, and don’t charge you £90 an hour for the privilege. Sure, dealers might have an edge with brand-new models, but a decent indie mechanic with proper training can handle most jobs just as well and you’ll have enough money left over for a nice pub lunch afterward.

Let’s wrap this up, shall we? Car maintenance doesn’t need to be rocket science or empty your wallet if you focus on what actually matters.

Your owner’s manual isn’t just emergency loo roll it’s the bible written specifically for your car. It tells you exactly what your motor needs and when it needs it. When in doubt, find a mechanic who talks to you like a human being and bases their advice on what’s actually happening with your car, not on myths they heard down the pub in 1997.

Stick to the maintenance schedule, don’t ignore warning lights (they’re red for a reason!), and you’ll get more miles and fewer headaches from your car. And next time someone starts spouting car maintenance “wisdom” that sounds a bit fishy, you’ll know better.

Now that’s advice worth sharing preferably over a pint at the local!