Why These Myths Are Costing Pakistani Drivers Real Money
Pakistani car owners are generally enthusiastic about their vehicles. However, many tips shared in local car repair shops, with family members and on social media sites are incorrect. These myths appear to make sense at first glance and that's why they have travelled so far. The trouble is, it causes actual damage, unwanted waste and quicker car deterioration.
This article dissects the top ten car care myths that are still prevalent among today's Pakistani drivers, and dives into the reasons why these beliefs are incorrect and what they should do instead.
Myth 1: Change Your Oil Every 3000 Kilometres No Matter What
This might be one of the most common car maintenance myths in Pakistan. The 3000 km oil change interval was valid years ago when engines were not as sophisticated as they are today and oil wasn't formulated as it has since then. Today's engines and today's lubricants are much improved and most manufacturers now recommend 15,000 to 5,000 kilometres as the oil change interval, depending on the type of engine and what grade oil was used.
When drivers follow the 3000 kilometre myth, it means excessive wastage of money, time and oil, which they don't need to use.
What Your Owner's Manual Actually Says
The recommended oil change interval depends on your car, it's written in your owner's manual. It takes into consideration the type of engine, the suggested grade of oil, and your normal driving conditions. It's just the only interval you shouldn't be following… it's the one the workshop is trying to sell you more oil changes for. Proper care of the car Pakistan style is to use the correct grade of oil at the correct time, not the oil as frequently as you could.
Myth 2: Premium Petrol Makes Any Car Perform Better
Excessive fuel costs because of the purchase of high octane or premium fuel in the gas pump is highly prevalent in Pakistan and for the majority of Pakistan's car owners is futile spending. Premium petrol or hi octane petrol is used only in high compression engines which need a higher octane to help stop knocking. Switching to super-grade petrol will give no extra performance or saving to a car with an engine designed to use regular petrol.
Fuel specifications are listed in your car's owner's manual and are located on a sticker on the inside of your fuel cap. If your car says to use regular fuel, then that is what it's designed to use, and premium fuel will not improve mileage, clean the engine, or significantly increase the life of your engine. If your engine is designed to run on premium fuel, then it is advisable to use premium fuel.
Myth 3: You Must Warm Up the Engine Before Driving
With older carbureted engines that required time to regulate fuel delivery, the notion of letting the car idle for a few minutes before driving was sound advice. This is not needed in modern fuel-injected engines – which include almost every car sold in the last 20 years in Pakistan.
Leaving a modern car idling for extended periods of time is a bad idea. That wastes fuel, produces unnecessary emissions, and doesn't heat up the engine as well as a gentle driving style would. The proper way is to start the engine and go slowly for the first few minutes, instead of idling. This heats up the engine quicker and more effectively than leaving it idling for long periods of time.
Myth 4: Dish Soap Works Fine for Washing Your Car
The biggest myth that causes the most damage in Pakistan in the long run is this car care myth. Go through any neighborhood on a Sunday morning and you will get to see the vehicles getting washed with Pril, Surf Excel or Lemon Max. It appears to be cheap and safe. It is neither.
How Household Detergents Damage Your Car Paint
Dish soap and laundry detergents are made to be tough degreasers that remove food oil, grease and residue from dishes and clothes. The same stripping action is what will happen when you apply it to a vehicle: It will strip away the protective wax on your paint and disrupt the pH balance of the clear coat. This will cause oxidation, fading and dull chalky finish through repeated washing, and cannot be professionally corrected.
A pH neutral car shampoo is specially designed to remove dirt from your car without affecting protective coatings. Not significantly more expensive compared to dish soap after taking into account the number of uses you receive from a single bottle of soap and the difference in long-term paint condition is significant. It is one of the easiest and more effective things that any Pakistani car owner can do to take care of his car.
Myth 5: If the Car Feels Fine You Can Skip the Service
This is likely to be the costliest of the myths mentioned here. The logic appears to be good: The car is performing nicely and there does not appear to be something wrong—so why pay for a service? The issue is that most mechanical problems don't alert you to their problems until they become serious and costly issues.
These things, such as engine wear, contaminated brake fluid, a failing battery, and clogged filters all occur over time and are invisible. It's likely that a lot of damage has already been done by the time you feel them. Regular servicing will identify and resolve these issues before they become breakdowns or safety problems, and at a lower and simpler price.
The most prevalent reason for deterioration and increased lifetime costs of Pakistani cars is due to the mind-set of yeh bhi chal jayega (as long as the car is moving, everything will be okay). Servicing frequency is not a matter of choice, it's a requirement. It's the basic of good vehicle maintenance.
Myth 6: Tyre Pressure Is Fine If the Tyre Looks Inflated
A tyre can be hugely under inflated without you knowing, and look perfectly fine to the naked eye. Tyres have to be able to support a significant amount of weight and will retain their shape even if the loading is significantly below recommended levels. One of the most widespread and hazardous car maintenance myths that Pakistanis have is checking visually if the tyre is okay or not.
A flat tire is a serious problem on hot summer roads in Pakistan, even more so if your tires are under inflated, which causes uneven wear, poor fuel economy and excessive heat. The optimum tyre pressure for your car is on a sticker inside the driver's door frame and in your owner's manual. Use a pressure gauge to check it every month, not by looking at the tyre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does hi-octane fuel improve mileage in a regular car in Pakistan? No. If your car is designed for regular petrol, premium or hi-octane fuel provides no measurable improvement in fuel economy or performance. Use the fuel grade specified in your owner's manual.
How often should I actually change my engine oil in Pakistan? Follow the interval in your owner's manual for your specific engine and oil grade. Most modern cars run on 5000 to 10000 kilometre intervals. Driving in Pakistan's stop-and-go traffic and dusty conditions may warrant the lower end of that range.
Is it true that independent mechanics void your car warranty in Pakistan? No. In Pakistan, having your car serviced by a qualified independent mechanic does not automatically void your warranty, provided the correct parts and specified fluids are used and the service is properly documented. Always keep your service receipts.
Can dish soap damage car paint permanently in Pakistan? Yes, with repeated use. Dish soap strips your paint's protective wax and clear coat over time, leading to oxidation and fading that can only be reversed through professional paint correction. Switching to a dedicated pH-neutral car shampoo protects your paint and costs very little more per wash.
Stop letting car care myths cost you money and damage your vehicle. Book a professional inspection or detailing session with Harris Car Care and get expert advice based on what your car actually needs.
