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(NUI) - True or false: You should always warm up your car before driving on a cold day. False. Although most drivers may consider this to be true, it can actually cause damage to vehicles if done continuously.
To shed some light on the truth behind common automotive beliefs, the service specialists at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge provide their car-care expertise on a few important topics:
Belief: Do not blast your vehicle's air conditioner when sitting in traffic or while driving at more than 60 mph.
Reality: False. Vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are engineered and tested to operate in even the most severe types of driving environments.
Belief: You can check your tire tread with a penny.
Reality: True. Simply pinch a penny between your thumb and forefinger so Lincoln's head is showing. Insert the penny into a tire-tread groove. If the tire covers any part of Lincoln's head, then your tires should have a safe amount of tread. Check several locations on each tire to test for uneven wear.
Belief: If you still have fuel in your gas tank when you refill it, use the same grade that is currently in the tank.
Reality: False. It will not harm your vehicle if you mix different grades of unleaded fuel.
Belief: Avoid keeping your vehicle at a constant speed during the first 500 miles of its life.
Reality: Maybe. Most new vehicles no longer require drivers to vary their speeds during the first 500 miles, known as the "break-in period." If your vehicle does require a break-in period, varying your speed by several miles per hour should do the trick.
Belief: Premium gasoline is best for your vehicle.
Reality: Maybe. Most cars are built to run on regular-grade fuel, so using premium fuel will not improve the car's performance. In fact, using premium fuel in a vehicle that was not designed for it can harm the vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency. Check your owner's manual for recommended fuel grade.
Belief: City dwellers dealing with narrow streets should not park with two wheels on the curb; it will destroy the vehicle's alignment.
Reality: True if done continuously. This practice can cause excessive wear or stress to tie rods and suspension bushings.
Belief: If the steering wheel shakes when you drive, something is wrong with your brakes.
Reality: Maybe. If the wheel shakes as you depress the brake pedal, it may mean your brake rotors are unbalanced. If the wheel shakes as you drive, it may be a wheel balance or steering-related issue.
For more information on vehicle maintenance or servicing, call or visit your local Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealership.
Media Release Date: 9/11/03