Common automotive myths

[Madman]

We hear them all the time.  The myths, anecdotes, and plain old nonsense surrounding cars, particularly from "non-car" people.  What are some of the common myths you hear concerning cars?

I'll get the ball rolling with this myth I hear time and time again...


Myth:  "Toyotas and Hondas are the only reliable cars and everything else is garbage."


Seriously, I hear this one from an alarming number of people who should know better.  Because I am known as the "Car Guy" among my circle of friends, acquaintances, relatives, and coworkers, I am often asked to give my opinion on someone's potential car purchasing decisions.  More often than not, I find they really don't want my suggestions or advice, they really only want me to validate the choice they have already made.  That choice, typically, is either a Toyota or a Honda.  On many occasions when I have suggested alternatives which may have offered better value or is better suited their needs, I get a response that goes something like "Oh, I would never consider anything other than a Toyota or Honda.  Other cars just break down all the time."

This is why I no longer give car buying advice to anyone and, if they ask why, I will tell them.

Over to you guys.  What are the common automotive myths you hear on a regular basis?

[giant_mtb]

"They said my car would be protected forever if I paid them $2,000 for the Super Duper Bullshit Protection Package when I bought my new car."

*pukes in detailer*

[WookieOnRitalin]

"New cars are better than used cars..."

This is really a myth. Some cars offer more technology than older/used vehicles, but they are not inherently better for a variety of reasons. Unless someone plans on putting down I believe 20% down on a new vehicle, they are going to be committing more resources than they would if they bought used monthly. That peace of mind can be nice while the warranty is running, but in some cases, the amount of down payment (20% on a 40k would be 8k). You can invest 8k into a variety of nicely, gently used vehicles between 15-20k, have a lower monthly payment, and not have huge ticket repairs as some older cars are much easier to work on and have lower maintenance costs.

Bottom Line: A "new" car is not always the best financial decision and a "new" car is not always better for your needs.

[Morris Minor]

Manual transmission cars use less gas than automatics. With electronically-controlled multi-ratio auto transmissions... not true anymore.

Save brakes by always dropping to a low gear going downhill. Now only partially true, maybe on long steep descents, but modern disc brakes are far more effective than before, and it now takes serious work to induce brake fade.

I need an SUV because I feel more secure, give space for the kids, so I can see what's going on, and because they're better off road. Buy a minivan and raise your fucking seat height, you'll still be cocooned in airbags, minivans give you much more kid space and have a nice low center of gravity. And you never drive off road.

I need AWD for wet & snowy weather. Just no. The AWD will engage maybe twice in five years. And on the remote chance that you'll actually be out driving in snow, stick to 2WD & buy some decent snow tires. They'll be on sale because of low demand... what with global warming.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I do need a big truck so I can stand a chance to win against speeding traffic. I am more safe, until I roll over.

I do need 4WD to get over the snow mountain that the plows leave at the end of my driveway. Otherwise, it is useless weight and drivetrain losses.

Toyotas are the most reliable. Or, at least, they were for a long time.

I save my brakes by not coming to a dead sudden stop after high speed braking (by paying attention and planning well in advance, duh). That's what burns pad material into the rotor (or whatever) and causes runout ("warping").

[GoCougs]

Turbocharging = free power and better MPG.

EVs are better for the environment.

Higher octane fuel = higher quality fuel.

[r0tor]

MPGe actually represents a way to compare EVs to ICE

[Laconian]

MPGe actually represents a way to compare EVs to ICE

This one drives me nuts. It's not an apples to apples comparison.

I think a better sticker would indicate the number of miles driven before the car becomes more efficient than a comparable ICE counterpart? e.g. "This MIDSIZE SUV will have lower overall emissions than a gasoline equivalent after _35,000_ miles."

[r0tor]

This one drives me nuts. It's not an apples to apples comparison.

I think a better sticker would indicate the number of miles driven before the car becomes more efficient than a comparable ICE counterpart? e.g. "This MIDSIZE SUV will have lower overall emissions than a gasoline equivalent after _35,000_ miles."

The MPGe calc should reflect not how many KWs are the energy equivalent of 1 gallon of gas, but overall in the US on average how many KWs of fuel was burned to deliver the equivalent KW of that 1 gallon of gas.

If you treat nuclear fuel rods and renewables as free energy, my guess is MPGe numbers get cut by 30-40%.  So a 100MPGe EV is probably more like 65 MPGe actual.

[Morris Minor]

Turbocharging = free power and better MPG.

EVs are better for the environment.

Higher octane fuel = higher quality fuel.

The turbocharging comment is right on the money. I can personally attest to this.

[GoCougs]

The turbocharging comment is right on the money. I can personally attest to this.

I think every turbocharged owner can. Any MPG improvement that may be seen is due to weight savings and ancillary items such as better aero and more tranny speeds.

For example, in the excellent video below, GM's 2.7T strategy is explored. In short, it will replace the base 5.3L V8 - it will get better MPG but because it is a much smaller and lighter package. Similarly, the 2.7T will be used in many applications - work trucks, sports sedans, pickups, etc. All variations, from 230 hp to 320 hp, will use the same block and internals, cylinder head and turbo. What differs is the externals such as water pump, transmission and engine tuning. Such scale is impossible with a N/A mill (GM's pooprod V8 differed wildly between vehicles and applications, despite overall design sameness).

[r0tor]

Don't know, my 320hp terwbow 4 AWD family sedan gets 38mpg on trips... seems to work for me

[Eye of the Tiger]

So you're saying I should turbo TUNDRA... for the MPG.

[GoCougs]

Don't know, my 320hp terwbow 4 AWD family sedan gets 38mpg on trips... seems to work for me

Uh, if only: 24.8 mpg: https://www.fuelly.com/car/alfa_romeo/giulia/2018?engineconfig_id=13&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=

[r0tor]

Uh, if only: 24.8 mpg: https://www.fuelly.com/car/alfa_romeo/giulia/2018?engineconfig_id=13&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=

If it's on the internet - it must be true

[Morris Minor]

I think every turbocharged owner can. Any MPG improvement that may be seen is due to weight savings and ancillary items such as better aero and more tranny speeds.

For example, in the excellent video below, GM's 2.7T strategy is explored. In short, it will replace the base 5.3L V8 - it will get better MPG but because it is a much smaller and lighter package. Similarly, the 2.7T will be used in many applications - work trucks, sports sedans, pickups, etc. All variations, from 230 hp to 320 hp, will use the same block and internals, cylinder head and turbo. What differs is the externals such as water pump, transmission and engine tuning. Such scale is impossible with a N/A mill (GM's pooprod V8 differed wildly between vehicles and applications, despite overall design sameness).

The NA CX-5 I'm renting here in California is a more pleasant drive than my own turbocharged one, despite being well down on power and torques. It uses substantially less petrol too.

But on the occasions when I feel a bit yobbish, my one is nice for bolting past slowpokes on rural roads.

[GoCougs]

The NA CX-5 I'm renting here in California is a more pleasant drive than my own turbocharged one, despite being well down on power and torques. It uses substantially less petrol too.

But on the occasions when I feel a bit yobbish, my one is nice for bolting past slowpokes on rural roads.

A few months ago I drove my parents new-ish Outback w/the base N/A 4. Dat throttle response - holy hell it was like I was driving an F1 car compared to the SQ5. So much more sprightly in the first 1/4 of throttle travel despite having only a fraction of the power.

[Eye of the Tiger]

A few months ago I drove my parents new-ish Outback w/the base N/A 4. Dat throttle response - holy hell it was like I was driving an F1 car compared to the SQ5. So much more sprightly in the first 1/4 of throttle travel despite having only a fraction of the power.

You should try a TUNDRA. Car next to you runs over a piece of newspaper, your right foot twitches imperceptibly, and TUNDRA's traction control is already kicking in.

[AutobahnSHO]

pedal response and "feel" don't always equate to "better" or "fast".

Currently driving my parents' 2-3yr old Pilot. On paper it has quite a bit more power than our Honda minivan but you really have to push the pedal to get it to go.

VERY opposite the twitchy at the beginning feel on the Toyotas I've driven.

[Eye of the Tiger]

pedal response and "feel" don't always equate to "better" or "fast".

Currently driving my parents' 2-3yr old Pilot. On paper it has quite a bit more power than our Honda minivan but you really have to push the pedal to get it to go.

VERY opposite the twitchy at the beginning feel on the Toyotas I've driven.

Most newer cars that I've driven have very slow throttle tip-in. I assume it is for the MPGEEZ. I am fine with that. There is no EFI engine that can match the natural throttle response of a well-tuned carburetor, though.

[MrH]

A few months ago I drove my parents new-ish Outback w/the base N/A 4. Dat throttle response - holy hell it was like I was driving an F1 car compared to the SQ5. So much more sprightly in the first 1/4 of throttle travel despite having only a fraction of the power.

I don't think I could call anything attached to that CVT responsive

In general, I prefer the throttle response of an N/A motor over the outright power of a turboed car.  Give me an EV for daily commuting appliance, and a manual + N/A motor for fun.  Down with automatics, DSGs, and CVTs!

[r0tor]

pedal response and "feel" don't always equate to "better" or "fast".

Currently driving my parents' 2-3yr old Pilot. On paper it has quite a bit more power than our Honda minivan but you really have to push the pedal to get it to go.

VERY opposite the twitchy at the beginning feel on the Toyotas I've driven.

Welcome in the massive amounts of village idiots that buy pedal tuners thinking it somehow makes their car faster when 30% throttle is WOT

[Eye of the Tiger]

Welcome in the massive amounts of village idiots that buy pedal tuners thinking it somehow makes their car faster when 30% throttle is WOT

I want a pedal tuner to detune my pedal, but all of them do what you're saying. I don't like it.

[AutobahnSHO]

Welcome in the massive amounts of village idiots that buy pedal tuners thinking it somehow makes their car faster when 30% throttle is WOT

Yup.

Mav has different "modes" of driving. What's obnoxious is that it doesn't remember anything you select next time you turn the truck on.
-Normal is pretty good on average.
-Eco gets more aggressive with regen, and slower to turn on the ICE. Feels more like I imagine "one pedal driving" would be. But you also have to mash the pedal more to accelerate faster.
-Slippery is actually much less regen and REALLY have to mash the pedal to get brisk acceleration. People report getting best mpgeez on this one, because you control regen with braking and can coast more.
-Sport keeps the ICE on ready for acceleration more.

[Laconian]

I want a pedal tuner to detune my pedal, but all of them do what you're saying. I don't like it.

Is it just rewriting CAN bus messages...?

[GoCougs]

I don't think I could call anything attached to that CVT responsive

In general, I prefer the throttle response of an N/A motor over the outright power of a turboed car.  Give me an EV for daily commuting appliance, and a manual + N/A motor for fun.  Down with automatics, DSGs, and CVTs!

It shocked me. And it was mostly taking off from a stop is where I really noticed it. Maybe not so much when under way, but took me quite a few starts to recalibrate.

For me, personal ownership-wise, it's Accord > G37 >> SQ5. The Outback was on par with the Accord. And note the SQ5 has a tune whereby the throttle mapping is more aggressive.

[r0tor]

Is it just rewriting CAN bus messages...?

That's too advanced... most are just programmable resistance boxes

[AutobahnSHO]

That's too advanced... most are just programmable resistance boxes

Yeah, since the throttle pedal is connected by wires nowadays instead of a cable!

[veeman]

This is a nice threat topic Madman. 

1) off road tires are good for winter driving on paved roads

2) big cars from several decades ago are safer in an accident than modern cars

3) it is better when traveling at a fast speed to swerve to avoid hitting an animal rather than slamming the brakes and aiming the center of the car right at the animal

4) if you end up in a lake you should wait for the water outside the car to equilibrate with the water inside of the car before attempting to open the door

5) the best way to avoid getting killed in an active road rage incidence is to ignore the road rager. (You are better off making eye contact and apologizing)

6) keeping an older high mileage car running is usually wiser than replacing with a newer low mileage car (Not always. Your time has a lot of value to).

7) you should teach your wife or daughter to change a flat tire (No. They should call you and/or your insurance company/roadside assistance and not risk getting hit by another vehicle while changing the tire. If they are stuck on the road, they should leave the car and get safely away from the road).

8) if you need to stop on the highway, you are safe if your car is on the shoulder (You should be halfway or even more on the grass beyond the shoulder)

9) bicycling on public roads shared with cars is a healthy form of exercise (You are far more likely to die or get maimed).

10) EV will become the dominant mode of personal vehicle transportation in the U.S. within the next decade.

[GoCougs]

My fave myth probably: Diesels are any sort of appropriate in a retail vehicle.