As a used car owner, you’ve likely heard a lot of different things about the best ways to maintain your vehicle, whether it’s how often to get your oil changed to which type of gas you should really be using. To help clear up some confusion, we’ve gathered 5 common car maintenance myths — and debunked them!

This had some merit back in the day but it’s no longer completely true. Modern engines actually warm up faster when you’re driving, not just letting the engine warm up in the driveway. The only true benefit of starting your car in colder weather before driving is that it heats up the inside of your car — which is cozy but doesn’t really help your engine.

Many drivers swear by filling up their gas tanks in the cooler hours of the morning because gasoline is denser earlier in the day, meaning you get more bang for your buck. The myth surmises that as the day gets hotter, the gas expands and you’ll end up paying more money for less gas. But here’s the truth: gas isn’t really affected by the outside temperature because it’s stored underground and is insulated from temperature changes. Essentially, it doesn’t matter what time of day you fuel up.

This is a very popular myth perpetuated by oil companies and express oil and repair shops. The truth is that under normal driving conditions, most vehicles can travel 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Your best bet is to follow the suggested maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual.

False. The truth is that all maintenance should be performed by a certified technician according to scheduled recommendations for your used car. But beyond that, it doesn’t really matter where you get serviced. For your convenience, Auto Connection does have service centers at every location.

It’s a common myth that a tire is completely ruined if it gets punctured. The truth is that a reputable repair shop will easily and affordably patch your tire without trying to convince you that you need to buy a new one. Are you in the market for a reliable used vehicle? As a premier buy here, pay here dealership in Hampton Roads, The Auto Connection helps people in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Eastern Shore, Smithfield, Chesapeake and Newport News, VA get the financing they need to drive away in a quality used car, truck, SUV or van. Find out how easy it is to get a quality pre-owned vehicle of your own with buy here, pay here financing from The Auto Connection. Get the approval process started from home with our easy online application.