Here is a list of the top 13 car maintenance tips to ensure your four-wheeler’s longevity:
1. Inspect the Tyres and Tyre Pressure
Tyres are subjected to maximum wear and tear. Hence, car owners must check tyre conditions regularly. Usually, a car owner can know the perfect time to replace a tyre by looking for signs such as worn-out tread and cracks in the rubber.
Apart from keeping an eye on the tyre tread, car owners must check tyre air pressure. Incorrect air pressure can lower fuel efficiency and increase the chances of a tyre blowout. Further, car owners must look for other issues such as loose tyres, which can make them unfit for the roads. Checking these factors related to tyres can help save money by preventing heavy repairs that may arise out of lack of maintenance.
2. Check Car’s Fluids Regularly
One of the effective tips on car care is regularly checking fluids, such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. A brake oil sign appears on all panels and indicates the necessity for a refill. In case the coolant level drops, the car can get overheated and stop working.
Therefore, ensuring these fluids’ optimum level at all times is essential to help the vehicles run properly. In addition, car owners must check for any leakage in these fluids, which they can easily spot by looking at the colour.
3. Change the Engine Oil Regularly
One of the most effective car maintenance tips and tricks is changing engine oil at regular intervals. As a car owner, you must ensure that the vehicle engine can run smoothly for a long time. Hence, it is essential to check oil levels and refill them before they can cause any potential damage.
As per garage specialists, car owners must change engine oil every 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. So, follow the basic car care tips and enjoy driving with complete peace of mind.
4. Check Your Car’s Battery
The battery powers all the electrical systems in a vehicle. Hence it is important to check the car battery as minor issues with this component can result in burnout of wires and other significant issues.
Garages often provide car battery testing at affordable prices, so individuals can opt for that minor but crucial service. Remember, car batteries need replacement every four to five years, so if the battery has entered that age range, you must replace it.
5. Check the Car’s Brake Pads
Other tips for maintaining the car in good condition include checking brake pads. If vehicle owners can hear squeaking or squealing noises, grinding sounds when applying brakes, see brake pad indicator light on or experience vibration, they must consult with professionals and resolve these issues. Garage experts recommend checking brake pads every 12000 miles and replacing brake fluids every 25000 miles. Remember, these estimations primarily depend on vehicle and driving style.
6. Check the Belts and Hoses
Checking engine belts and hoses must be a part of a regular car maintenance routine. There are different belts in an engine, such as a drive belt and timing belt. The timing belt ensures that the engine's crankshaft, valves, and pistons are synced on time.
On the other hand, drive belts utilise the engine's revolutions to operate power steering, water pump, alternator, AC compressor. Hoses carry brake fluid, gas, anti-freeze, and air. The vehicle engine highly depends on these components to ensure smooth operation. Hence, car owners must check these belts and hoses regularly.
7. Watch Out for Warnings Signs
Keeping an eye on warning signs displayed on the dashboard can help you to avoid irreparable or expensive repairs. Vehicle dashboard can display various warning signs regarding brake oil, oil pressure light, tyre pressure light, anti-lock brake warning light, engine temperature light, traction control malfunction, battery alert, seat belt reminder, low fuel etc.
If individuals see any warning signs illuminating on the dashboard other than low fuel and seat belt reminders, they must consult with garage specialists and follow their instructions.
8. Test the Car Lights
One of the important car maintenance tips is to test car lights. Broken lights or bulbs can lower the visibility of your vehicle on roads, especially at night and increase the chances of accidents during night-time driving.
Car owners must check different types of lights such as fog lights, signal lights, tail lights, daytime running lights, headlights and ensure these lights are perfectly working.
9. Wash the Car Regularly
Compared to other car maintenance tips, washing/cleaning cars may seem trivial, but it is one of the basic things to do to keep the vehicle in good shape. Car owners must vacuum the inside and clean the outside. Car owners can use a layer of transparent tape to protect a car's grille and bumper from being damaged by pebbles.
In addition, they can wax and polish their vehicle twice or thrice a year to keep the paint almost intact. Do not forget to wash your vehicle, including the underside, with a high-pressure jet. A vehicle's underside can accumulate road grime; that's why it is essential to clean off this tough dirt and road grime. If you are unable to do it yourself, you can take professional help.
10. Replace the Windshield Wipers
Replacing windshield wipers may not seem like an important task but you cannot avoid this simple maintenance tip as a car owner. Poorly functioning wipers, i.e. worn-out blades, can reduce visibility during heavy rain or snowfall.
Therefore, car owners must replace it if they detect worn-out blades. Additionally, wiper blades are inexpensive, so replacing them will not be a burden for car owners.
11. Change the Engine’s Air Filter
The dirty engine air filter can lower its efficiency, meaning engines will pull dirt, dust, debris, sand and potentially damage it. A new engine air filter allows your vehicle to get clean air essential for the combustion process.
Hence, garage experts recommend regularly inspecting the engine’s air filter and replacing it at extended mileage intervals as per requirement.
12. Park Your Car at the Right Place
Are you still looking for tips to keep your car in a good condition? Park the car in the right place and protect it from extreme climate. Extreme temperatures can damage both the inside and outside of your vehicle massively, and these damages can occur on a car battery, exterior painting etc.
Therefore, during the winter season, try to use a covered parking space (if your living or working area gets heavy snowfall) and during summer, park your car under shades or some kind of covering. Remember, if you cannot find a parking space during summer, you can place a window deflector screen to safeguard your vehicles' interior.
13. Change Gears Smoothly
While driving, car owners must change gear smoothly. It is one of the basic things they must do to keep their car in good condition. Abrupt gear change can result in worn-out clutch and gears. Hence, car owners must not put their foot on the clutch pedal immediately after shifting gear, as it can massively damage the clutch plate over time.
With these, our discussion on the best car maintenance tips comes to an end. Follow these tips to ensure your car is in good condition and increase its lifespan.
