It's amazing how some things can sit tightly in people's heads, even more surprising is that these things don't always have a foundation. After all, if you look at it, sometimes we believe in complete nonsense, and even if it looks believable, it is still not true. Even if this is outdated information that was relevant once upon a time, and faith in it lives on to this day. In general, myths have a lot of sources, but there are no benefits. Today we will be destroying automotive myths.
1. Old cars are stronger than new ones
It is surprising that some people really believe that when a new and an old car collide, the new one will suffer more, because "it is made of plastic." Of course, this is complete nonsense. Any modern car is much stronger than the old one, because its design is much more accurately calculated, made of durable materials, and better assembled.
Modern machines are very rigorously tested for compliance with safety standards. The most difficult test is the crash test. In it, the car accelerates to a certain speed (most often 64 km / h is the average speed of an accident in the city) and crashes into a wall (roughly speaking, in fact, crash tests are different.) At this time, there are special sensors stuffed with sensors in the cabin. mannequins. Such tests were carried out for old cars, and if in a modern car the body is deformed so as to maximally protect passengers who get off with minor injuries and fright, then the body of the old car simply falls apart.
So why do people think that old cars are stronger? Firstly, they are not so sorry for them, therefore, in minor collisions, for example, when parking, the damage to them is not so noticeable, well, and secondly, new cars have a strong power structure, however, for the sake of economy, the outer panels in them are most often made of plastic, and it is quite fragile.
Note: And it is better, of course, to see once. The American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a crash test in which a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air were pushed head-on. What came of this - see for yourself.
2. Coasting saves fuel
Somehow it happened that many drivers consider driving with the gear off to be more economical. At first glance, this is logical. After all, in neutral, the engine speed drops to idle. However, things are far from simple. The fact is that when the car rolls off a hillock with the gear engaged and the throttle pedal thrown, the wheels, which are connected to the engine, spin it, as it were, and the effect of engine braking occurs.
At this moment, the engine control unit, and in older cars, the forced idle economizer, turns off the fuel supply to the engine, and the consumption drops to almost zero. But to maintain idle speed, the engine needs 1, 5 - 2, 5 l / h (it all depends on the specific motor). So it turns out that driving in neutral does not reduce, but even increases consumption. Yes, and besides, it is not safe.
3. Branded fuel will increase power and clean the engine
Most likely, branded and regular fuels differ only in … price. At some gas stations they "pour" the same thing, but give it different names and take different money for it. At more decent gas stations, there may be differences, where various detergents are added to the "branded fuel". The effect of their work is very doubtful, and the quality of the fuel is much more important for the engine, and not the additives in it, therefore, if ordinary fuel is of good quality, then there is no need to overpay for "branded", if the usual is not very good, then additives will not save the situation …
4. It is necessary to change the oil every 4000 - 5000 km
How the car will be serviced depends on how it will serve. Here are some drivers who decide to change the oil more often to extend the life of the engine. Only there is no special sense in such excessive "care". The oil must be changed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and its condition. And replacement just for the sake of replacement is a waste of money.
Continuing the theme of automobile misconceptions: Moderate fuel consumption tips that don't really work