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Some car myths just won't disappear. They keep cropping up, even if they've always been wrong. Others may have been true in the past but with the huge advancements in automotive technology, they're now obsolete. Here are six common driving misconceptions and what to really do instead.
MYTH: On cold days, always 'warm up' your car
TRUTH: Idling can start to wear out your engine. While engines run best at their designed temperature, its best to 'warm up' the engine by driving at a moderate speed. Modern motor oil flows fine in cold weather, so the engine will be okay.
MYTH: Restarting the engine uses more gas than idling
TRUTH: Actually the opposite is true. If your engine is already warm, it takes almost no fuel to restart it.
MYTH: It's a bad idea to use the parking brake while the car is parked
TRUTH: Using the parking brake is a good idea. If your car is bumped while in park, it protects the transmission. Using the parking brake also keeps the brake cables and parts from seizing.
MYTH: At a red light, shift an automatic transmission into neutral
TRUTH: This myth comes from the idea that keeping the transmission in drive while stepping on the brake wastes fuel and causes wear on the driveline. In fact, actual engine wear and fuel loss are minimal.
MYTH: Get better mileage by "drafting" 18 wheelers
TRUTH: This may work in the movies, but in reality the effect is insignificant, not to mention the fact that it's a very dangerous move. If the driver of the truck needs to stop suddenly, you could easily plough right into the tailgate. To avoid a potentially serious incident, it's best to keep your distance.
MYTH: Pump the pedal before starting in cold weather
TRUTH: Back in the day when cars had carburetors and chokes, this was true. Pumping the pedal in cold weather delivered an extra shot of gas which meant a richer starting mixture. Today, fuel-injected engines automatically adjust mixture for temperature, so there's no need to pump the pedal anymore.
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