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Media post: Car Myths That You Should Not Pay Attention To

A red Ford Model T. Picture coschedule.com

Some of the myths concerning cars are just wrong but they’re around anyway. You have undoubtedly heard many of these here:

You should wash your car with detergent

Nope. This is actually one of the worst things you can do for your car’s wax finish, as it could very well strip it off! Instead, use a special car-wash liquid. This liquid is made to clean without taking off the wax! Ask the folks at this Canoga Park, CA Jeep dealer for details on the specific kind of cleaner to use!

Insurance for red cars is expensive

Why are red cars pricier to insure?  As the myth says, “Red cars have more accidents!” Well, have you ever bought insurance for a vehicle? Was there any point when the agent asked what color the car was when you wanted a quote? Insurance agents get asked about this all the time. From an insurance point of view, vehicle color makes zero difference but the red car myth seems to live on.

Gas pumping + cell phone usage = Vehicle explosion

Not true! There have been rumors going around, saying that wireless signals will ignite fuel vapors. However, according to the Federal Communication Commission, scientific testing couldn’t prove a dangerous link between fuel vapors and wireless phones.

Large cars are safe, but small cars are not

Most drivers think that their huge SUV (with average handling and a rollover-prone high center of gravity) is safer than a compact car. These SUV drivers forget that the safety of modern-day cars involve tons of safety technology like high-strength steel, energy-absorbing crumple zones and many airbags, not just mass. The myth continues, though, and it likely accounts for many SUV purchases each year.  No wonder as a nation that we consume so much petroleum; it’s all the “safer” SUVs cruising down the streets.

Model T Fords could only be black

This is a myth that has been dispelled by Ford Motor Company itself many times. We suspect that the myth that the vehicle “only was available in black” comes from the reality that close to 12 million of the 15 million total Model Ts made were black. However, the truth that the Model T was manufactured in many different colors, which included blue, red, grey and green.

Every 3,000 miles, get an oil change!

The 3,000 rule goes back to when engine oils were less refined than in the modern day, and got dirty faster than they do now. In the present day, engines are better, oils are better and almost no manufacturers recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles. Just don’t ask the guys down at Jiffy Lube for their opinion. They’re going to tell you that this is silly and to stick with the 3000 mile rule. And to go to there for the oil change.

Many myths regarding cars have been around for many, many decades. They have been hard to debunk, and we hope you’ve enjoyed this article!

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