12 Car Maintenance Myths That Are Costing You Hundreds

Experienced automotive technicians will say that a car's longevity is directly tied to its maintenance. While that may sound like a no-brainer, the truth is that there are a lot of myths floating around about the dos and don'ts of car maintenance.

That means that drivers looking to get the most out of their vehicle while also holding onto more of their hard-earned cash should be aware of these myths so that they don't throw away money.

Just like shedding unnecessary coverage can save drivers money on car insurance, not falling for these outdated car maintenance myths can net drivers substantial savings.

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While changing a car's oil every 3,000 miles used to be solid advice, oil formulations have advanced in recent years, making this advice quite outdated. The truth is that most vehicles made within the last decade can go much longer between oil changes.

Most modern cars can go 5,000 to 7,500 miles between oil changes. Some can even rack up 10,000 miles before needing one. And according to Kelly Blue Book, oil and filter changes for vehicles that use synthetic oil can cost anywhere from $65 to $125. That means if you pay for an extra oil change or two every year, you're potentially throwing hundreds of dollars down the drain.

Drivers who want to make sure they are properly maintaining their vehicle can check their owner's manual to see how often they should be changing their oil, as well as what oil type and viscosity their car requires.

Some consumers have been misled to believe that dealerships will always provide superior service, or that their car's warranty will be voided if another mechanic performs their regular maintenance.

However, this is not true. What matters is keeping up with the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. Ultimately, this just means finding a trusted mechanic or auto repair shop to do this work. Or, if you feel confident, you can do your own maintenance as long as you have the necessary knowledge and tools.

If you choose to go that route, keep detailed records and receipts from any maintenance you perform in case there is a warranty dispute. It's only necessary to visit a dealership if a vehicle requires recall work to be performed.

Contrary to popular belief, any relatively modern car should not require regular engine tune-ups. A vehicle's onboard computer will automatically tune up pretty much every engine component as needed throughout the day.

According to AutoZone, the cost of an engine tune-up can range from $40 to $150, though some can cost up to $800, depending on the vehicle. Drivers who regularly shell out that kind of cash on unnecessary maintenance could end up wasting a small fortune.

One checkup every 50,000 miles should be enough for the typical driver. If in doubt, check your owner's manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.

You may have heard that you should inflate your vehicle's tires to match the pressure figure embossed on the tire's sidewall. But beware: this number represents the tire's maximum pressure, which is not necessarily its ideal pressure.

If tires are always inflated to their maximum pressure, they may end up not lasting as long due to uneven wear and tear. Drivers who want to make sure that their tires are properly inflated should go by their vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure. That figure is usually located on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb or, occasionally, inside the fuel filler door.

Many consumers have been led to believe that premium fuel is superior to regular grade gasoline. But the truth is, regular-grade (87 octane) gasoline is best suited for most vehicle engines.

High-end sports cars and racing vehicles utilize premium gasoline because their engines are designed to operate with a particular mixture of air and fuel to maximize performance. Regular vehicles are not designed to run that way, so they don't always need premium gasoline.

According to AAA, the national average for premium fuel is $4.01, while regular is only $3.17, as of this writing. That means filling up just a small tank with premium fuel would cost around $48, while regular fuel costs around $38. Drivers who needlessly fill their tanks with premium are potentially throwing away hundreds of dollars a year.

To make sure you're using the correct fuel grade, you can check the owner's manual or gas cap to see which octane grade is recommended.

Assuming that drivers are getting behind the wheel of any relatively modern vehicle, warming up the engine is unnecessary, even if it's cold outside.

The truth is that automakers have designed modern engines to warm up quicker when the car is driving. Idling modern cars will just waste gas, cause the vehicle to take longer to warm up, and potentially expose the engine to cold-start wear and tear.

Instead, don't be afraid to just get in the car and go, although it's wise not to ride the gas pedal too hard during the first 15 minutes of driving.

Most vehicles used to need their transmission fluid to be flushed out every 50,000 miles. However, that is no longer the case. Many modern vehicles can travel up to 100,000 miles without needing a transmission flush.

Some vehicles that have Continuously Variable Transmissions, such as Subarus, don't require any transmission maintenance at all, for instance.

Drivers should consult their owner's manual to determine what the manufacturer recommends or find a trusted service technician to determine the best course of action for their car.

Some drivers believe that they need to "summerize" or "winterize" their vehicle. In reality, there is nothing special you can do for your vehicle as the seasons change, as far as service goes.

What drivers should consider doing is keeping up with scheduled maintenance. Most modern vehicles come with coolant that lasts around 100,000 miles. And, as always, it's a good idea to check the owner's manual to see if and when the manufacturer suggests replacing it.

If you wait to replace their tires until after they have reached their minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch, you are putting yourself at risk. When the tread is worn down to this extent, tires will lose their wet grip and snow traction, becoming more susceptible to hydroplaning.

You should start shopping for replacement tires before they get to this point. For instance, when the tread depth on their tires is 4/32 inch, the tires still retain some of their all-weather grip. This can give you time to shop around and find the best available deal on replacement tires, especially since, according to Discount Tire, the average cost of a full set of tires is around $600.

You may have heard that filling up your tank in the morning can save you money. Many think that since the gas expands in warmer temperatures, and the weather is cooler in the morning, drivers who refuel in the a.m. will get more gas for their money.

However, as stations store fuel in underground reservoirs that are insulated from outside temperatures, in most instances, gasoline will remain at the same temperature throughout the day.

Drivers likely don't want sediment and dirt to clog up their engine. One solution for preventing this buildup is to use fuel additives. While this might sound logical, it's not always true.

Every gasoline manufacturer has been required by law to add fuel detergents, which are designed to prevent engine buildup, since the mid-90s.

This means adding fuel additives isn't likely to improve engine performance. Basic fuel additives can cost around $10 to $20 per bottle. Drivers who do this are pretty much just spending this money for the sake of it.

Older vehicles with a dead battery often rebound pretty easily after a jumpstart; all they need is a quick spin around the block.

However, modern vehicles are jam-packed with multimedia and creature comforts that can drain the battery. With these cars, after getting a jumpstart, drivers should drive for at least 20 to 30 minutes straight to really revive their battery.

If you don't drive frequently and want to maintain the battery's health, try to drive it at least a few times every week for at least 20 minutes. If you're consistently driving your car, then the battery should last between three and five years.

Proper maintenance is a smart money move if you own a car. The key is understanding what's necessary.

Excessively changing the oil or flushing the transmission is essentially pouring money down the drain. At the same time, not spending money on routine maintenance just to save a little bit of money in the short term could potentially cost drivers a small fortune down the road.

Preventative maintenance, which involves following the owner's manual recommendations for oil changes in routine inspections, can save drivers a pretty penny in the long run by taking care of minor issues before they become major problems.