Maintenance Myths That Need to Die Already

Old Habits Die Hard, But These Maintenance Myths Need to Go First

Every industry has its folklore. For maintenance, it’s a blend of “we’ve always done it this way” and “my grandpa swore by it.” Some of that wisdom holds up, but a lot of it should’ve been retired along with the flip phone.

Let’s put a few persistent myths out of their misery.

1. “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It.”

This one’s the maintenance equivalent of “I’ll start the diet Monday.”

Waiting for something to fail before touching it isn’t a cost-saving strategy, it’s an equipment retirement plan. Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring exist for a reason: to catch problems while they’re still whispering, not screaming.

Reality check: The cheapest maintenance is the one you never had to do because you caught the issue early.

2. “All Oils Are the Same.”

Sure, and all coffee tastes the same if you’ve never had a good one.

Different base oils, additive packages, and viscosities matter big time. Swapping whatever’s on hand might keep things spinning for now, but you’re inviting friction, oxidation, and a slow mechanical meltdown later.

Reality check: Using the right lubricant is precision, not preference. It’s the difference between extending asset life and scheduling a rebuild.

3. “Clean Enough Is Fine.”

No. Just… no.

Contamination is the silent killer of machinery, and “pretty clean” doesn’t cut it. One grain of sand in your oil is like dropping a handful of gravel in your engine. Lube storage, filtration, and desiccant breathers aren’t optional they’re your frontline defense.

Reality check: Clean oil looks boring, but boring equipment is reliable equipment.

4. “Grease It ‘Til You See It.”

If you’re pumping grease until it oozes out, congrats you’ve just pushed the old grease (and any contaminants) deeper into the bearing. Over-greasing causes heat, pressure, and premature failure.

There’s science behind how much grease a bearing actually needs. Use it.

Reality check: More is not better. It’s messier and more expensive.

5. “We Don’t Need Sensors; Our Guys Can Hear Problems.”

That’s adorable but human ears can’t detect rising moisture levels or subtle vibration shifts. Condition monitoring tools don’t replace experience; they supercharge it. Combining real-time data with skilled technicians creates the ultimate predictive dream team.

Reality check: The best maintenance tech is part detective, part data analyst.

6. “Oil Changes Should Happen on Schedule, No Matter What.”

Changing oil too soon wastes time and money. Waiting too long invites disaster. The smart move? Use oil analysis to let the condition, not the calendar, dictate the change.

Reality check: Time-based maintenance is a relic. Data-based maintenance is the future (and it’s already here).

7. “Lubrication Is Simple.”

If by “simple” you mean “critical, complex, and constantly overlooked,” then sure. Proper lubrication management is chemistry, physics, and strategy rolled into one. It’s not a side task it’s an engineering discipline.

Reality check: Treat lubrication like the science it is, not the chore it’s become.

The Bottom Line

Maintenance myths hang around because they almost make sense. But in modern plants, “almost” can cost thousands in downtime.

Kill the myths. Embrace the data. And give your lubrication program the respect it deserves it’s the quiet hero keeping your equipment alive and your production schedule intact.