By Jim Grey

Tale: Using a premium grade of gas (higher octane level) will improve car performance.

Truth: Using a gasoline with more octane than the engine requires will not increase power or engine performance. According to AAA experts, an engine designed to run on regular gasoline (87 octane) should run well on that fuel grade. Only engines specifically designed to take advantage of higher octane will benefit from premium fuels.

Tale: It is necessary to change your oil every 3,000 miles.

Truth: The frequency of oil changes depends on the make and model of your vehicle as well as your personal driving habits and typical conditions. AAA recommends consumers change their oil every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations and whether the vehicle is operated in “normal” or “severe” conditions. Also consider synthetic oil which tends to last longer between changes. Consult your owner’s manual to determine appropriate oil change intervals.

Tale: Vehicles require a “tune up” once a year or every 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Truth: On newer vehicles, traditional tune-ups have been mostly eliminated. Today’s tune-up, if it can be called such, consists of a little more than changing the spark plugs at the manufacturer is specified interval. The few remaining tune-up operations, such as filter and PCV valve changes, are performed today as part of a lubrication service or on an “as needed” basis. AAA advises that you always follow the periodic maintenance schedule that came with your vehicle.

Tale: Fuel additives increase the amount of energy in the fuel.

Truth: The amount of energy in a gallon of gasoline is essentially fixed. Additives cannot increase the amount of energy sufficiently to recover the cost of the additive itself. Certain types of additives, such as fuel injector cleaners, do provide real benefits—they just don’t provide any additional energy.

Tale: Oil additives reduce internal engine friction.

Truth: All engine oils are carefully formulated with additive packages that reduce friction to maximize fuel economy. If aftermarket additives were truly effective, oil companies would already be using them. The best way to reduce internal engine friction is to use the lowest viscosity oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for your car’s operating conditions.

Tale: Low tire pressure is no big deal.

Truth: Not only does improper tire inflation reduce fuel mileage it diminishes vehicle handling and causes a tire to run hotter, making it more likely to fail.

Tale: As long as antifreeze has a bright, strong color it’s still good.

Truth: Even if your car’s antifreeze has a bright color, the additives that protect your cooling system could still be worn out. This can cause the inside of your radiator and engine to rust or corrode. Also if you just add water when the coolant level is down, your antifreeze mixture may lose some of its ability to withstand freezing temperatures. A good rule of thumb is to replace yellow-green antifreeze every two years. The orange DexCool antifreeze in many newer cars requires replacement every five years. If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, have your antifreeze checked at a quality repair shop equipped with the knowledge to make an accurate assessment.

Tale: When the time comes to have your brakes replaced, all brake products are created equal.

Truth: Be skeptical of bargain brake jobs. Cheap parts equal cheap quality and questionable performance. Premium disc pads must pass extensive performance tests to meet federal guidelines for original equipment classification. Tests show premium pads can last up to 25 percent longer than economy parts.