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Premium fuel will help your car’s performance -

Some cars do require a gas with higher octane level, but if this is not specified in your car's manual, then you're just wasting money.

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You should replace all tires at the same time -

This is not the case at all. You can indeed replace just one tire, as long as it's similar to the ones you already have. However, some experts recommend replacing them in pairs (the two in the front, or the two in the back).

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Using your cell phone while pumping gas can trigger an explosion -

You've probably noticed the signs on gas stations, but what would actually happen if you use your cell phone? Apparently nothing. The destructive link between wireless technology and fuel vapors has not been proven.

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Electric cars are more susceptible to catching fire -

There is no proof that electric cars are more likely to catch fire when compared with 'regular' cars.

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You’ll get more gas if you fill up in the morning -

Cooler air means denser fuel, so you'll get more bang for your buck if you fill up in the morning, right? Nope, because gas temperature doesn't really change throughout the day.

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You should change the coolant fluid and air filters when getting your oil changed -

Your mechanic might recommend you change these when you change your oil, but you don't really have to. Check your car's manual beforehand for instructions on how often you should do it.

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You must change your car's oil every 5,000 km (around 3,000 miles) -

This is an old myth that happened to make sense in old vehicles. Recent engines no longer require you to change the oil so often.

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You don’t actually have to change your oil -

Well, you do. Oil will get dirty as particles accumulate over time. Check you car's manual for instructions as to when it needs an oil change, and stick to it!

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Your car's engine needs to warm up before you start driving in the cold -

This old myth doesn't apply to modern cars. Some experts recommend waiting around 30 seconds before you start driving, which many people will inadvertently do anyway.

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Larger cars are always safer in a crash -

Vehicle volume and weight is actually not as relevant as some people might think. Very small cars might be somewhat less safe, but the difference between a regular-sized hatchback and a crossover is negligible. It will boil down to the specific make and model.

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If you shoot a car's gas tank, it will explode -

Discovery's 'MythBusters' actually tested this. The result was somewhat disappointing. The bullets just went through it. No fire. No explosion.

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Front-wheel-drive is not good -

After all, you're placing power and steering on the same wheels—there's no way your car can handle it! While there is hint of truth in this myth, there are plenty of high-performance fun FWD cars on the market today, so don't dismiss them completely.

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A lower suspension is better -

Everyone loves a lowrider, but aesthetics aside, is lower actually better? It depends. Shorter springs will be stiffer and have an impact on handling, but the problem is that most cars are not prepared for it. So if you're thinking of buying a lowering kit, make sure you do some research in advance.

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Jet fuel will make your car more powerful -

If it's used in jets, and they're fast, then if you put in your car it will make it faster, right? Wrong. Jet fuel is made for aircraft and not cars. You wouldn't fuel a diesel engine with gasoline, right? It's the same principle!

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Jet fuel will make your car catch fire -

There is an old myth that if you do use jet fuel, your car engine won't be able to handle the extra power and will catch fire. Well actually, the worst that can happen is that your car stalls out.

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Driving with a pickup truck’s tailgate down is more fuel efficient -

A test by Popular Mechanics found that, in fact, it's the opposite. They also found that a tailgate with a mesh could be a fuel-efficient alternative.

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Regular tune-ups are good for your car -

It is true that some old cars needed to be tuned up throughout the years to perform at their best. But doing so regularly nowadays makes no sense as computers will check if there is anything that needs to be done.

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More fuel is wasted when a car is turned on than when it idles -

Should you turn off your car or let it idle to save fuel? It depends on if you have an old or more recent car. Many cars nowadays even have a start-stop system, so that says something about the fuel economy of turning off the engine.

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Performance chips make your car faster -

Reprogramming or completely replacing a car’s ECU (engine control unit) might have an impact on power output. However, these are not the vastly-sold cheap performance chips you'll find on eBay claiming to add X amount of horsepower to your car.

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Cold air intakes add power to your engine -

Cool air has higher density and therefore is better for an engine when compared to hot air, but cold air intakes hardly have any impact on performance.

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Technology can save you from bad driving -

No traction control, stability control, lane assist, or sensors will correct a bad driver. This technology certainly helps, but it's no substitute for the human behind the wheel.

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All SUVs are good off road -

It is true that some might be okay, but many of them are not even four-wheel-drive vehicles. And even the ones that are, well, they are more adapted to the road than to off-road conditions.

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Automatic gearboxes are worse than manual ones -

Many people still believe that automatic gearboxes are no fun. While they might not feel the same, modern automatics are at the same level in terms of performance, speed, and fuel efficiency as manual gearboxes.

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Buying a car is an investment -

It is true that some cars become valuable classics that are worth a lot of money. But this takes time, and luck. In general terms, cars depreciate fast and are on very rare occasions considered an investment.

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Hiding behind a car will protect you from gunfire -

We've all seen it in the movies, but would it work in real life? Well, if it's your only option, then by all means hide behind a car. But beware that bullets can go through it and hit you!

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Turning on the air conditioner is better for fuel economy than opening the windows -

The opposite is true. Turning on the A/C will always consume more fuel.

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You should stop if driving a convertible in the rain -

It make sense to stop and put the top on, right? Well, yes, but if you were to drive fast enough, you wouldn't actually get wet. The only reason we don't endorse it is because it's actually quite dangerous, so don't do it. But now you know!

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Old cars are better than new ones -

While there are certainly pros and cons of driving both new and old cars, overall older cars are a lot more unsafe to drive.

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Police cars are fast -

With the exception of some (very) fast police cars, the majority of regular police cars are pretty average when it comes to power and speed.

Sources: (Family Handyman) (HotCars) (Popular Mechanics) (Insider)

See also: The world's fastest (and most expensive) police cars

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