Top Maintenance Tips That You Must Follow For Your Car
Every household today owns at least one vehicle. For some of them, it is part of luxury however for some it is an extension of their family. By carrying out preventative maintenance, you can ensure that the life of the car is extended and also provides the best output while on a long drive without any breakdowns.
Whenever anyone purchases a vehicle, they have an intention to make the maximum use of it.
However, to get the best and maximum output from your vehicle it becomes important to take good care of it. Timely maintenance and upgrades would ensure that the life of the vehicle is extended.
Some are well aware of the various maintenance aspects. However, many of them simply do not take enough measures for maintaining their vehicles. This instead can lead to multiple mechanical problems and breakdown.
We have come up with a comprehensive list of maintenance tips that would be helpful to keep the car in good condition and to receive optimum performance.
Table of Contents
Go through the owner’s manual for Maintenance Tips:
Whenever we purchase a new gadget or any product, there is always a small booklet or manual that comes along with it. Not many of them pay attention to what is written in the manual.
People normally have the confidence that they are well aware of all the aspects of the car hence there is no need to go through the manual and the manual is just kept in some corner of the house.
But there is a lot of information mentioned in the owner’s manual that can help you in optimizing the performance of the car and at the same time save you from any breakdown. Going through the owner’s manual is the rule of thumb for ensuring that the car is maintained properly.
The manual provides information on what all needs to be checked and understanding the warning signs given by the car from time to time. The manual also provides recommendations on which models of types of accessories can be installed for its smooth running.
Few important information such as type of oil to be used, checking the pressure of tires, light bulb to be used, and many more such useful information is mentioned in the car manual. In case if you have purchased a second-hand car then you can check with the manufacturer for providing the car manual.
Rotating the tires and checking its alignment:
As part of basic car maintenance, the wheels’ alignment and its balancing are few of the important aspects. Getting these inspected regularly can ensure safety while driving. Have the tires rotated, aligned and get it balances as per the mileage.
This should be carried out as per the instructions mentioned in the owner’s manual. After every 5000 miles, it is recommended to rotate the tires. But you can always refer the manual on the exact accuracy.
Inspecting the levels of oil:
The car is known to contain a lot of mechanical parts that often brush against each other while it is in motion. This can create a lot of friction which in turn generates heat. When there is an increase in the heat being generated then it can lead to a significant decrease in the performance of the engine.
Hence, it becomes critical to minimize the friction occurring from the moving mechanical parts so that the car runs smoothly and provides optimum performance. Inspecting the car engine’s oil levels should be made part of the basic maintenance process.
This is not a complicated process; it is quite simple when you have proper knowledge about oil levels. All you need to do is locate the oil dipstick, pull it out and then check the oil levels.
To get this process done accurately, you need to ensure that the car is properly parked on the ground level. Now carefully remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean cloth. Once the dipstick has been wiped properly, it would become easier to check accurate oil levels.
Re-insert the dipstick and again take it out to see exactly the oil levels. There are indicators mentioned on the dipstick which makes it easier to read the oil levels.
Apart from checking the oil levels, it is also important to check the color of the oil. The manual provides exact information on the oil levels and also when it should be changed.
Car engine oils are mostly amber color. But when you notice the oil color is dark then it can be a sign of excessive heat and the presence of sludge or contaminants.
Inspecting the battery:
None of us would want to end up with a dead battery while on a long drive. Hence, it is a good idea to always get the car’s battery checked at regular intervals. There are a lot of automobile shops that offer car battery testing at pretty much reasonable pricing.
You can get the battery tested and identify any issues beforehand. If you go through the manual, then they mostly mention the time frame for getting the car batteries replaced. However, it is a good idea to get the battery replaced every four to five years.
Inspecting the tire pressure:
Checking the tire pressure is also an important aspect of basic maintenance. You can get information on the recommended tire pressure in the owner’s manual. With the use of simple tools and gadgets, this work of inspecting becomes easier.
It is mostly recommended to get the work done every week. Nowadays there are smart gadgets that can be connected with mobile devices for easily monitoring the pressure of tires. These gadgets easily send out notifications if there is any discrepancy in the air pressure.
Replacing the air filter:
A good combination of fuel and air would ensure the efficient operation of the car engine. Hence, it becomes even important to ensure that the air which is getting sucked in the engine of the car is free from any particles or debris.
If this is not the case, then the performance of the car is affected that can lead to a reduction in horsepower and sounds emanating from the car engine. This is the very reason why it becomes important to get the air filter replaced as per the details mentioned in the owner’s manual
It is mandatory to assess the condition of your car’s air filter from time to time. When you notice that the air filter looks dirty even when your car hasn’t met the required mileage then it is time to get it replaced rather than waiting.
Assessing indicator bulbs:
Can you imagine driving in your car when the indicator bulbs are not working fine or are broken.
A broken or non-working indicatory bulb can lead to grave mishaps. Hence as part of the basic maintenance list, checking the car indicator bulbs should also be a priority. These indicators act as a signal of the direction you plan to go to the other motorist.
When you notice that the indicator light is flashing faster than it should one when it is switched on then it means that the light bulb has blown up. But there is nothing to worry; you can get it easily replaced at home itself. But ensure to use the correct light bulb product specific to your car. Also, you can refer to the owner’s manual for assessment and replacement of these light bulbs.
Inspecting & replacing the windshield wipers:
It is a must to have clear visibility on the road while you are driving. The windshield provides you this clear visibility but with certain conditions in place. As an owner of the car, you have to ensure that the windshield is kept clean and free from dust, and other particles.
Also, ensure the wipers are in good condition to get the job done else it would lead to scratches on the windshield. Note that wipers are less durable hence susceptible to wear and tear easier than the other car components. But the good news is that you can get them replaced easily.
When you notice that the windshield has started to make some strange noise when you switch on the wipers then it is time to have a check and get the wipers replaced. Clean the windshield from inside and out along with getting the wipers replaced.
Maintain a checklist for your car’s regular maintenance so that you do not miss out on anything. Initially, this may seem like a daunting task but when you make it a part of your routine then the task becomes easier to handle.
Try to perform the car inspection by yourself rather than relying on others. Go through the manual which would give you a fair idea of the various car components that need to be assessed.
If you feel that there is a need for extra experienced hands, then you can rope in professionals. The above-mentioned tips would help ensure that you do not face breakdowns while on a trip.