Online platforms like Quora are crowdsourced, meaning the quality of advice can vary widely. While much of the advice on cars is sound, "poor" or genuinely bad advice often surfaces, particularly in the areas of DIY repair and maintenance shortcuts.

Here are some examples of poor car advice that commonly appear in discussions about Quora and other online forums:

1. Dangerous DIY Repair Shortcuts
The most dangerous bad advice often involves shortcuts that compromise safety or the integrity of the vehicle's electrical system.

"Just Use a Bigger Fuse."

Why it's bad: A fuse is a safety device designed to blow (break the circuit) when an electrical current exceeds a safe limit, protecting the wiring and components from overheating and melting. Putting in a fuse with a higher amperage rating is a serious fire hazard, as it allows excessive current to melt the wiring loom, potentially causing a catastrophic electrical fire.

Improper Vehicle Lifting:

Why it's bad: Advice to "shove a jack randomly under a car" ignores the vehicle's specific, reinforced jack and jack stand points. Improper lifting can damage the car's body, frame, or suspension, and, more dangerously, can cause the car to fall, severely injuring or killing the person underneath.

2. Risky Maintenance & Fluid Management
Poor advice often promotes deferred maintenance or improper disposal of hazardous materials.

Improper Waste Fluid Disposal:

Why it's bad: Suggestions to "Pouring antifreeze down the sink" or "Dumping oil in the ditch" are illegal and highly damaging to the environment. Used oil, coolant, and other fluids must be taken to a proper recycling center or auto parts store for disposal.

The "Strong Arm" Approach to Seized Parts:

Why it's bad: When dealing with rusty or seized bolts, the advice to simply be "impatient" and "strong arm" them often results in a snapped bolt. This turns a simple repair into an hours-long nightmare involving drilling and extracting the broken piece. The correct advice is to use penetrating oil, heat, and patience.

3. Misleading Advice on Used Car Buying
While many tips are helpful (like checking fluids or test driving), some advice can be misleading or overly rigid.

Over-reliance on Mileage as the Sole Metric:

Why it's bad: While mileage is a factor, a car's condition is more dependent on maintenance history than just the number on the odometer. A well-maintained car with 150,000 miles is often a better buy than a neglected car with 80,000 miles. Advice that insists on a hard cap (e.g., "try to get close as you can below 100k") is overly restrictive and ignores the reality of modern engine life.

Skipping the Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI):

Why it's bad: The best advice is to always bring a mechanic or arrange for a pre-purchase inspection. Any advice that downplays or skips this step is poor, as it leaves the buyer vulnerable to hidden problems, like a failing transmission, which is one of the most expensive components to replace.