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Mechanics Who Want to Deceive: 3 Common Lies About Oil, Alignment, and Radiator

Published on 27/07/2025 at 17:49
Mecânicos
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Discover How to Identify Three Common Lies in Workshops About Oil, Alignment, and Radiator to Avoid Unnecessary Losses.

Many drivers blindly trust mechanics’ recommendations. However, the most important thing is to know that not all advice is true.

Some common remarks may indicate that the workshop just wants to profit from your lack of information.

Therefore, understanding which practices are truly necessary for your car avoids unnecessary expenses and potential losses.

Thicker Oil After 100,000 Kilometers

One of the biggest traps is the recommendation to switch to a thicker engine oil when the car exceeds 100,000 kilometers. This is not true.

The suggestion to use a thicker oil has no technical basis and may cause problems for the vehicle. The correct approach is always to follow the manufacturer’s specifications.

The car manual states exactly which oil should be used, regardless of mileage. Changing this recommendation on your own or based on dubious advice is risky.

Additionally, using the wrong oil can compromise performance and increase internal engine wear.

Therefore, never change the oil to a thicker one just because the car has been driven a lot. This is a way to deceive the driver and push unnecessary services.

Alignment Without Evaluating the Suspension

Another important alert is related to alignment. Many mechanics recommend this procedure without first doing a complete check of the suspension.

If the car has play or damage in components such as arms, bushings, or pivots, the alignment will not last. Just facing the first curve or going over a pothole will put everything out of place again. In other words, the money invested in the service will be wasted.

Therefore, before authorizing alignment, require a detailed analysis of the suspension. If there is wear, it is necessary to repair the components before aligning. This sequence avoids losses and ensures vehicle stability.

Tap Water in the Radiator

Filling the radiator reservoir with tap water is another serious mistake. Some mechanics claim it’s not a problem at all, but that is not true.

Tap water contains minerals and substances that cause oxidation and corrosion.

Over time, the cooling system suffers serious damage, such as clogs and wear on internal parts.

The correct practice is to use demineralized water or the appropriate mixture recommended by the manufacturer. This helps prolong the lifespan of the radiator, water pump, and hoses. Additionally, it prevents overheating problems and leaks.

Knowledge is Protection

Understanding these basic points helps protect you against questionable practices in workshops.

Knowing that the type of oil does not change with mileage, that alignment depends on the suspension being in good condition, and that tap water is the enemy of the radiator already avoids many headaches.

Furthermore, seeking information in the car’s manual and keeping preventive maintenance at trusted locations is essential.

A serious workshop does not push unnecessary services and always follows the manufacturer’s guidelines. Therefore, be wary when the mechanic tries to convince you with arguments that lack technical basis.

An Informed Driver Spends Less

When the vehicle owner understands the basics of maintenance, they avoid falling into traps.

The most important thing is to question each service offered. Asking why alignment is necessary, the reason for changing the oil, or what type of water should be used makes all the difference.

This posture prevents misleading practices.

Therefore, before accepting any recommendation, research and read the manual. It contains the complete guide to take care of your car. This simple action ensures savings and greater safety while driving.

These three alerts—thicker oil, premature alignment, and tap water in the radiator—already show how much attention is needed. If you hear something similar, pay close attention.

A workshop that makes such recommendations may not be thinking about your car, but rather about its own profit.

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Silvio Ferreira
Silvio Ferreira
29/07/2025 13:05

Esqueceram de falar que vc 🚋 nesta com nível de olé baixo,as não é pois o carro precisa ficar em lugar plano e desligado por ao menos 10 minutos

Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide variety of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, naval industry, geopolitics, renewable energy, and economics. Active since 2015, with prominent publications on major news portals. My background in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10,000 articles published in renowned outlets, I always aim to provide detailed information and relevant insights for the reader.

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