Basic car maintenance tips every car owner should follow
There are many rewarding advantages to proper car maintenance. Regular maintenance will help keep your vehicle running, last longer, and retain its resale value. The following basic car maintenance tips can help improve your vehicle-owning experience.
Read your car’s owner’s manual
The first thing to do when you get a new car is to check its owner’s manual. Each vehicle is different, reading the owner’s manual will give you a good base of knowledge about your specific vehicle.
It will also tell you when your recommended maintenance services should happen.
Follow the scheduled car maintenance
Usually, basic car maintenance involves changing engine oil and oil filter, checking the wear and tear of parts like engine air filters, spark plugs, wires, fluids, serpentine and timing belts, and getting them replaced if necessary.
Don’t skip or postpone the regular maintenance as a well-maintained car with up-to-date records attracts a better resale price.
Learn your vehicle’s warning lights
Every car owner will see a warning light turn on from time to time. Most of the time it indicates something simple like a windscreen washer fluid running out or a light bulb that needs changing. Other times, it can be something more serious that tells you to stop the vehicle straight away.
To save yourself from unwanted stress, learn what each warning light means and how to address them.
Use fuel with the correct octane rating
Another important thing to check from your car’s owner’s manual before you head off for your first drive is the fuel your car runs on and the correct octane rating your car needs. The car’s engine is tuned to account for a particular octane level when delivering fuel to the engine cylinder.
Using a lower octane fuel than required can cause the engine to run poorly and damage the engine and emissions control system over time. However, it might come as a surprise that a higher octane fuel can also lower engine efficiency instead of improving its performance. So, stick to the correct octane rating.
Don’t forget oil changes
Getting an oil change is important to keep your car in good running condition. Oil is needed to efficiently lubricate the engine’s moving parts, and failing to keep the oil clean can cause serious damage or even engine failure. You will want to avoid it because fixing engine problems can cost thousands of euros.
Most car manufacturers recommend oil changes once a year or 10,000-15,000 km. If you mainly drive shorter distances, you need to change the oil more often. This is due to you car’s engine not getting hot enough, frequently enough, to get rid of the condensation that builds up in the system.
Check your car’s owner’s manual for the right interval of oil changes. New high-efficiency engines and high-quality oil have changed the frequency of oil changes.
Check your car’s tire pressure
Checking your car’s tire pressure is important for your safety as well as overall maintenance. Having the right tire pressure helps to improve fuel efficiency and control regular tire wear.
Newer cars have a tire pressure sensor that tells you when the pressure changes. If your car does not have one, it is a good idea to check the tire pressure regularly.
Get the car tires rotated
The front and back tires carry different loads on different vehicles which means they don’t wear evenly. To ensure more even wear and tear and help the car drive better, it is advised to get the tires rotated.
If you live in a climate where summer and winter tires are used, check the need for rotation when you change the tires. If you use the same tires all year round, rotate them every 8,000 to 10,000 km.
Also check on the alignment of the wheels every few rotations.
Don’t wait to replace windscreen wipers
Worn-out windscreen wipers won’t work very well, which can put you in a dangerous situation when driving in inclement weather. They can also damage the windscreen itself.
The best time to replace wipers is if your windscreen is still dirty after running them, or you can hear a squeaking noice. Wipers are inexpensive and easy to replace, don’t wait for a larger repair job to do that.
Pay attention on your car’s brake pads
Keep your car running safely as well by checking your brake pads. Newer vehicles have built-in sensors to alert you if the brake pads need attention. However, you can also listen for signs of problems yourself.
Any noises, such as squeaking or metal grinding, you hear from your brakes could be worth checking on. Proactive brake maintenance can prevent you from having to replace more expensive parts like rotors.
Be nice to your car
Like humans and furry friends, our cars need petting, too.
Have a quick look at your car each day to inspect your vehicle’s health. It helps to point out things on the exterior that need tending to such as tire pressure, cracks in the windscreen, or chipped paint.
To keep you car healthy:
Clean your car regularly. A clean car not only looks nice, it helps the car run better and last longer, too. With busy daily schedules, car wash is often overlooked. However, washing not only keeps your vehicle look good, it also maintains that new-car finish. Dirt and chemicals can strip away wax and, eventually, the paint. Without a protective layer, a car can begin to rust.
Clean your car’s interior. Regularly dust the front panel, dashboard and console. Wipe the windows, remove and clean floor mats and car seats. Wipe down the steering wheel and door handles, clean out cup holders.
Maintain the outside of your car’s engine. Dirt build-up in a car engine can do damage in the long term. When the engine is cool, use a wet cloth or a special cleaner to clean away the debris.
Unless you are a professional race car driver, you might want to take it easy while driving. Similarly to the human body, pushing your vehicle hard can take a toll over time. By driving smart and safe, you can keep your car happy and running in better shape for longer.
With love,
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