Owning a vehicle and safeguarding it from interior and external damages is your prime responsibility. While other parts and fluids are crucial for the long life of the vehicle, the heart of the vehicle needs maximum attention and proper maintenance. We are talking about the engine.
As you don’t rely on myths for the heart of your body, why not for vehicle? Differentiate between the myths and facts and independently make the right decisions. Contribute to efficiency and better health of your engine by yourself. So, let’s get started to give you information on how to do just that.
Engine Health Myths to Know
Important myths are as follows:
Myth 1: Warm up the engine before driving
You must have received this suggestion for winters, which recommend starting the vehicle and leaving it running for a few minutes. However, performing such action will do more harm than good. The idle running of the vehicle will waste fuel and wear out the key parts that run the vehicle.
Myth 2: Flush the Engine Oil Every 5,000 km
The functionality of engine oil is not universal. Rather, it varies on the make and model of the vehicle, driving conditions, type of oil, engine’s age and conditions, driving habits, oil filter condition and other factors. Identifying the right figure (mileage) is necessary and must be done from the vehicle’s manual.
Myth 3: Premium Fuel Enhances Engine Performance
Again, there is no universal fact on the usage of specific fuel for vehicles. Every vehicle is designed differently and hence distinct requirements. While some of them require only premium fuel, certain vehicles are not suited for the same. In such cases, there will be poor results in contrast to expectations, which will lead to a waste of money.
Myth 4: Engine Oil Can Be Used Indefinitely
Engine oil gets contaminated with metal particles, dirt and contaminants. Further, it also breaks down with time, losing its lubricative properties. The viscosity of engine oil is also compromised with time. It results in the thinning of the oil, making it more fluid and leading to increased heat generation due to friction. Hence, engine oils do not work indefinitely. Rather, with time, they become insufficient to offer protection from wear and tear.
Myth 5: All Engine Oils Are Same
This is another myth contradicting the Myth 3. However, as we discussed, there is no universally suitable engine oil. They come in different varieties, manufacturing methods and prices. A 5W40 engine oil has a different viscosity compared to other engine oils at the same temperature with different associated numbers.
The vehicle manufacturer recommends the specific engine oil that is suited to the vehicle, and this must be adhered to. Switching to different oil qualities can also result in damage to the engine.
Myth 7: Dark-Coloured Oil Indicates Need for Change
The myth comes from the visible presence of contaminants in the oil and the assumption that they are the mark of its efficiency. While it might have held truth for earlier versions, currently, engine oils come with additives. These extend the oil’s functional lifespan regardless of the accumulation of dirt and contamination.
Hence, it no longer means the impact on engine health or deterioration in the efficiency of oil. The right action here is to change the oil at regular intervals as specified by the manufacturer. Alternatively, professionals can analyse the oil to identify if it impacts the engine negatively or requires a change.
Myth 8: Regular Engine Flushing is Necessary
Engine flushing is the procedure of cleaning the internal parts of an engine to remove build-up metal debris. However, there exist myths that recommend engine flushing with every oil change. The act should not be done owing to the possibility of losing actual engine metals, compromising its integrity. The procedure must be done only after completing a certain number of kilometres, such as 50,000 km, to perform engine flushing.
Conclusion
The mentioned myths must have helped you learn new and significant things about the engine’s health. Implementing them when using the vehicle and when fueling up is recommended to leverage the benefit. For instance, you must be able to effectively identify the need for 15W40 engine oil based on the requirement. Apart from that, consistent attention and focus on effective usage of the vehicle is recommended to ensure a long lifespan and obtain maximum benefit from your investment.
