Fuel Myths Debunked

Since the dawn of the gas powered vehicle, there have been myths about fueling your vehicle. They range from what type of fuel to how much gas to put in your vehicle. With gas prices continually on the rise, why would you want to spend more money than you have to? The average price for regular gas in the Savannah, GA area is $3.30 a gallon while high octane fuel, or premium gas, is $3.77 a gallon.

So, what about the myths? Is there any truth to them or are the just that, myths? Vaden Automotive Group in Savannah, GA and the surrounding areas care about informing our community on what is the truth and what is hearsay. Following is a list, put together by Cars.com, of their favorite fuel myths and the truth behind them.

Using premium gas will enhance my car's performance

Putting premium gas in your vehicle is not going to make your vehicle perform better. There are are instances where you should consider using premium in your car, but nowadays, most vehicles can adjust the engine’s performance in a majority of conditions. Some people may report a pinging or knocking sound if they do not use premium. Typically, modern knock sensors will detect a pinging noise before you hear it. Basically, if your vehicle’s manufacturer does not recommend the use of high octane fuel, then you’re safe saving some money by using regular gas.

It's better to fill up in the morning or at night because you'll get more fuel.

The reasoning behind this myth is that when the fuel is cooler it is denser and a denser fuel will pack more energy in the same amount of space. While density may change with the temperature, the fuel is stored in underground tanks that maintain a temperature of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. So, no matter the weather outside, the fuel temperature will remain the same.

It's OK to top off your gas tank after the nozzle automatically shuts off.

We all know people who are guilty of this one. While you may feel like you are getting more gas, you may not be. The extra fuel may just be rerouted into the station’s storage tanks. Also, you may potentially harm your vehicle’s evaporative control system. The system is designed to re-burn vapors, not liquid gasoline. If you overfill your tank, these vapors will get pushed out of your gas tank and can cause damage.   

Not fully pressing the gas nozzle will make you pay for gas you don't get.

This is a new one and lives up to it’s title as a myth. Gas dispensers use volumetric measures that gauge whether they are pumping fuel slow or fast. It is not an on/off nozzle that can only tell when the fuel is being pumped out at maximum speed. So whether or not you press the nozzle half way, it can still measure how much fuel is being pumped and charge you accordingly.  

Using the wrong octane fuel will void my warranty.

This one may have some truth to it. Some automakers claim that by using regular gas, you can do damage to your vehicle’s engine. This is why you should always read your owner’s manual. It may seem daunting, but there is some really useful information in there. Will you void your warranty if you use regular gas one time? No. Many automakers that require a higher octane fuel acknowledge that regular fuel can be used in an emergency, but premium fuel should be used on a regular basis.

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Lights, Wipers and Filters

There are many people out there that consider themselves DIYers (Do it Your Self). They would rather do things themselves than pay someone else to do it. Vehicle maintenance is one of those tasks that many of us try to do ourselves. While there are some things that should be left to the professionals, there are certain maintenance items that any DIYer can do.

Windshield Wiper Blades Replacement

Windshield wiper blades and wiper blade inserts are essential to visibility when it is raining. If the wiper blades or inserts don't function properly, they won't remove the water, they can cause streaking, and they can also damage your windshield. Replacing the windshield wiper blade or insert is a simple task to perform. Plus, wiper blades can be found at any automotive store for fairly inexpensive.

Filter Change

There are several filters located on a vehicle. Some, like the fuel filter, may need to be changed by a trained mechanic, but there are others, like the air filter and in-cabin filter, that you can change yourself. The air filter is easily accessible and can be found at most automotive stores. The in-cabin filter can be easily accessible, depending upon the manufacturer of the vehicle. Even if they are little harder to get to, a DIYer can still gain access it to change it. Now, the air filter and the in-cabin filter should be changed at regular intervals. To find out when the filters should be changed, refer to your owner's manual.

Light Replacements

There are several types of lights on a vehicle. The ones that we worry about the most are the headlights, taillights, and brake lights. When one of these goes out, not only could you get a ticket, it could also be dangerous. If a headlight goes out, then it could reduce your visibility. If a tail light goes out, then it could make you less visible to another vehicle. On most vehicles changing a light bulb is a very simple task, but on others it is not so easy. Newer vehicles come with HID lights and once those fail to work properly, then you will need to take it to a repair shop to have the lights replaced.

While these maintenance items may seem simple and within the reach of a DIYer,  they are very important in keeping your vehicle operating properly. Also, if the air filter and in-cabin filter are not changed when recommended, then is could affect the validity of your factory warranty or extended warranty, if applicable.
 

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Preparing Your Car for Hurricane Season

• Maintenance
• Vehicle Documents
• Registration
• Insurance papers
• Extended Warranty contract, if applicable

The registration, title, and insurance papers are essential to your vehicle. But, so are the warranty documents. If a mechanical breakdown were to happen while you were on the road or away from your home, you will may need you factory warranty or extended warranty documents along with your maintenance records in order to obtain repairs that may be needed. Also, the warranty documentation will have the number to roadside assistance if needed.

If you have more than one vehicle and you decided to leave one at home, then your vehicle needs to stored correctly. Usually, an enclosed garage would be the first option. But if you do not have one, it is best to park your vehicle away from trees and low lying areas. Most damage from a hurricane is caused by wind and flooding. So, if a garage is not an option, find the highest point in your yard, that is away from trees and park your vehicle there.

Hurricane season is a time to prepare. When preparing for an upcoming storm and/or for evacuation don’t forget about your vehicle. Make sure that it has all it is up to date on maintenance, that you have all documentation regarding your vehicle, and if it is staying behind, make sure that it is stored correctly. Doing this can give you one less thing to worry about during a very stressful time.

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Recycle Your Motor Oil

Changing your own oil is a great way to save yourself a little bit of money. Plus, by changing your oil on a regular basis you will help to maintain the validity of your factory warranty and extended auto warranty, if applicable. But one of the hardest parts of changing your own oil is getting rid of the used engine oil. Thankfully,  this chore has gotten a lot easier in recent years. There are motor oil recycling programs that are sponsored by cities, auto parts stores and designated collection sites. Some cities even offer curbside pickup for used motor oil and old filters.

 

While there have been efforts made to recycle old oil, getting the used oil from here to there can still be a messy affair. Here are some tips to make recycling your oil quick and easy:

 

Before you begin to change your oil, check your communities website to see if they offer curbside pickup of oil. If they don’t, call you local auto parts store or go to 1.800.recycling.com to find recycling centers. 
 

Purchase an oil pan the can be sealed for easy transportation of the used oil. Usually, the center will dump the oil and return the drain pan so you have it for further use. 
 

Make sure you wear latex or plastic gloves while changing your oil and transferring the used oil into containers. Also, make sure you have plenty of rags on hand in case of spills. 
 

If you use a container that you have on hand for storing the used oil, make sure it is free of other liquids. If the oil becomes contaminated, it will be unfit for recycling. 
 

Use a drop cloth or newspaper to place under the drain pan while you are changing your oil. You can also use these to transfer the oil to the container.

Before you load the oil container into your car, cover the floor mats or trunk with plastic bags and old newspapers. The newspaper will help to absorb small spills and the plastic bag will help prevent the oil from soaking into your floor mats or trunk carpet. 
 

If you happen to spill any oil during recycling, you can use cat litter or oil absorbent to soak up the spills. If the spill is small, saw dust will work as well. 

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