This is perhaps the very best car tip ever, no myth about it.

"That's always a good theory," says Duchene. "I've certainly watched a friend of mine go into repairing things that didn't seem to need repairing and make himself a bunch of problems.

"I think it's still a good rule of thumb, provided you stay up with the maintenance."

Auto dealership owner Martin heartily agrees.

"That's right. Wait until the car gives you telltale signs of problems," advises Martin, "then respond rather than react."

-- Text by Jay MacDonald, illustrations by Brandy Kesl.