Car care advice gets passed around like old family recipes. Some of it is solid, and some of it is outdated, incomplete, or flat-out wrong for modern vehicles. The frustrating part is that these myths usually do not cause trouble right away, so it feels like they are working until the bill shows up.
If you want fewer surprises, the best move is to separate what is convenient from what is true. A quick inspection now and then, plus a realistic service plan for how you drive, goes a long way toward avoiding the expensive mistakes below. Most costly breakdowns start as a small issue that keeps getting pushed off.
1. Oil Changes Are Only About Mileage
Mileage matters, but time and driving conditions matter too. Short trips, lots of idling, heavy traffic, and extreme heat break oil down faster, even if you did not rack up many miles. Following a regular maintenance schedule that fits your real driving is usually cheaper than trying to stretch intervals to the limit.
2. If The Car Starts, The Battery And Charging System Are Fine
A weak battery can still start the car today and fail tomorrow, especially when the weather changes. Low alternator output can also leave the battery undercharged, which looks like a random no-start that comes and goes. A simple load test and charging check can catch this before you end up stranded in a parking lot.
3. Warning Lights Can Wait As Long As The Car Drives Normally
Many problems start small and stay drivable for a while, which is exactly why people delay them. The issue is that the vehicle is already adjusting fuel, timing, or transmission behavior to protect itself, and that can create new wear. Treat warning lights as a prompt to get it checked soon, not a suggestion for later.
4. Brakes Only Need Attention When They Make Noise
Noise is one clue, but it is not the only one. Pads can wear quietly, and rotors can develop vibration long before you hear a squeal. We see plenty of brake jobs where the first real symptom was a soft pedal, a shake when braking, or longer stopping distance.
5. Transmission Fluid Is Lifetime, So Leave It Alone
Lifetime often means lifetime of the warranty, not lifetime of the transmission. Heat, towing, and stop-and-go driving wear fluid out, and old fluid loses its ability to protect clutches and valve body passages. A smart service plan looks at mileage, fluid condition, and how the transmission is behaving instead of assuming it will last forever.
6. Tire Pressure Only Matters When A Tire Looks Low
A tire can be 8 to 10 PSI down and still look normal, especially with wider modern tires. That small drop can change handling, increase stopping distance, and cook the tire from the inside on long highway drives. Our technicians often find uneven wear that started with pressure being off for months, not a single dramatic puncture.
7. Topping Off Fluids Fixes The Problem
Topping off is sometimes necessary, but it is rarely the real fix. Coolant, oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid do not disappear for no reason, so the question is where it went. Small leaks are easy to ignore until they become big ones, and then you are paying for parts, plus cleanup, plus secondary damage.
8. Alignments Are Only Needed After A Big Pothole Hit
A hard impact can knock alignment out fast, but normal wear can change it too. As tires wear, springs settle, and bushings soften, the angles can drift until the car starts pulling or tires start scrubbing. If you notice steering that is slightly off-center or tires wearing oddly, an alignment check is money well spent.
9. A Quick Code Read Tells You Exactly What Part To Replace
A code points to a system, not a guaranteed bad part. For example, an oxygen sensor code might be caused by a vacuum leak, an exhaust leak, or a sensor that really is failing. The cheapest repair is the one that fixes the cause the first time, not the one that replaces the easiest component.
Get Car Maintenance In Newport News, VA With B & L Automotive
If you’re dealing with repeat repairs or you just want your car to last longer, the next step is to book service so small issues get handled before they turn into big ones.
Schedule service with B & L Automotive in Newport News, VA, to stay ahead of wear items, protect your budget, and keep your vehicle dependable week after week.