Posted on 2/27/2026
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 Some of it is solid, and some of it is outdated, incomplete, or flat-out wrong for modern vehicles.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 ... read more