Cars have changed a lot in the 130 years since their invention. Automobiles today can travel farther, faster and deliver astounding amenities compared to their horseless-wagon predecessors, and most of the advancements made cars easier to live with.
You could probably pave Route 66 in the list of hoaxes and myths that have been handed down about car ownership over the generations. Many of them have been resolved over the years, thanks to advances in technology or creature comforts, but some of them are simply false.
Full Speed Ahead
The understandable association between numbering on a car’s speedometer and its actual performance potential is an example. Manufacturers sometimes choose gauges that far exceed a car’s capabilities, just to give you the impression that you’re driving a high-performance sports machine.
The Camaro example is actually the opposite situation. After lawmakers passed new speed laws, US automakers installed speedometers that topped out below 100mph in hopes of slowing drivers.
Warm Up
Do you live in a cold climate or drive a carbureted car? If so, it’s not a bad idea to start the car prior to setting off. Not sure if your car is carbureted? If your driving something built in the last 20 years and sold in the states, there’s a good chance it’s fuel injected — meaning there’s no need to let the engine build heat for the car to operate fine. I don’t blame you if you’re waiting for the heat to kick in, though.
Go for the Snow
Perhaps you own a car with all-wheel-drive like a Subaru or Audi. You might think the security of all-wheel traction will make you invincible in inclement weather — you’re wrong.
Particularly in snow, you might be better off with some quality snow tires and front-wheel drive than you are on summer tires with an all-wheel drive car. Snow tires feature tread and metal studs that punch into snow to give you traction. For ultimate grip, throw some winter rubber on your all-wheel-driver.
Tailgater
If you’ve wondered whether driving with your tailgate lowered will lessen wind resistance and thereby improve your car’s fuel economy, it won’t. This theory has been tested, and the dynamics of wind resistance are working more in your favor with the gate up. The air in the truck’s bed creates a slow-moving bubble and forces air coming off the cab over it. Keep the gate up — you’ll look much smarter.
With so many car myths out there, hopefully reviewing these debunked ones taught you a few new tricks — or validated stuff you’ve been telling your buddies for years.