Mechanic Myths

[EricF]

a few buddies and I were talking about the old mechanics myths that are around, and I figured maybe we could compile a list of them, maybe even test some out and be our own mythbusters!?

for instance if you put a charged battery on the ground, it will begin to discharge so you always have to "insulate" it by placing it on top of a block of wood.

Using the same brand oil AND filter for every single oil change from day 1 will guarentee zero engine problems.

Using for instance an FL-1A filter on a Dodge motor that would use the PH16 size will damage the motor (when it's just like 2" longer).

etc.. etc..

 

[Drew99GT]

Using Pennzoil will fill an engine with candle wax.

 

[addyguy]

Pennzoil is a garbage oil that sludges up engines.

 

[addyguy]

Hey...you beat me to it, Drew!!!

 

[ViragoBry]

A factory engine needs to be driven at least 3000 miles on conventional oil before switching to synthetic.

 

[MiddleBay3]

Spark Plugs purchased at discount/auto stores are packaged
by women who are on their menstrual cycle.

 

[Drew99GT]

Oh, I got one:

Fram Extra Guard oil filters are the best. They're good when price at $5.99, and even better when priced at $10.99!

 

[andrewg]

The only way to break in an engine is to 'drive it like you stole it'.
Or....you must have all your work done on your new car by the dealer or you may void your warranty.

 

[Yuk]

This one has always made my jaw drop...

"60 series tires are wider than 70s..."

 

[d00df00d]

Synthetics are thinner

Mobil 1 blows Subaru engines

Synthetics cause leaks in old engines

 

[Trav]

Quote:
you must have all your work done on your new car by the dealer or you may void your warranty.



BITOG has members from many different countries that may have different laws than the U.S.,e.g. in Germany if you don't get the dealer stamps in your book at time of service you can kiss the warranty goodbye.Not a myth.

The myth about putting battery's on the ground as i heard it is a little different,it was don't put battery's on concrete floors.Maybe it had something to do with dry rotting the old rubber cases before plastics came along.

 

[wavinwayne]

...That should hold...

 

[exranger06]

If you service an auto trans with high mileage, it will destroy itself within the next 100 miles.

You must change oil every 3k miles

Once you put synthetic in an engine, you can never go back to conventional.

 

[demarpaint]

I think I found your problem.

 

[94supraonchrome]

I've heard a bunch of myths, but the one I have heard the most throughout my life is "you can't change brands or types of oil, you should stick with whatever has been ran in it" I hear it all the time! I'd like to know where that came from...I've been using different brands for years, no problems here.

 

[NJC]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Fram Extra Guard oil filters are the best. They're good when price at $5.99, and even better when priced at $10.99!

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
...That should hold...

 

[sciphi]

The DIY'er: "That should take an hour or so".

 

[ViragoBry]

Originally Posted By: 94supraonchrome
I've heard a bunch of myths, but the one I have heard the most throughout my life is "you can't change brands or types of oil, you should stick with whatever has been ran in it" I hear it all the time! I'd like to know where that came from...I've been using different brands for years, no problems here.


Actually, I may have experienced a side-effect from switching brands and / or weights that may have caused this myth to get out of control.

In 1988, I bought a 1986 Civic Si with 34,000 miles on it. The dealer had obviously changed the oil, as it was crystal clear and filled to the full line, so I left it alone for the next 3000 miles. It was still full when I changed it 3000 miles later, and I switched it to Castrol 10w30. The engine began consuming a noticable amount of oil. I added more than 1.5 quarts of oil over the course of the next OCI, which really freaked me out at the time, but over time the consumption came to a halt and the dipstick went back to reading 'FULL' for entire OCIs.

Having said that, neither of my 2 current cars seem to care if I use PP or M1, which gets alternated quite frequently due to sales, rebates, etc. But that Civic didn't seem to care for the brand switching....at least not at first.

 

[KLowD9x]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
The DIY'er: "That should take an hour or so".


The mechanic: "That will be about 15 minutes"

Trust me, that is my favorite line.