Everyone dreams of having a nice car, but maintaining one isn’t easy. You must take proper care of your car to keep it running safely, smoothly, and efficiently for a long time with excellent mileage. From changing filters and oil to getting auto insurance, here are six car maintenance tips that every car owner should know:
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Check Battery Regularly
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Check Tires
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Change Engine Oil
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Check Fluids
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Replace Air Filters
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Regular Maintenance And Reviewing Insurance
Your car’s battery powers its engine, so check it regularly to ensure its working fine. With time, your battery terminals can get corroded, and a white or bluish powder accumulates. It can crack the battery, making it unfunctional. You can clean this yourself with a battery cleaning brush (make sure you are wearing gloves) or by professionals at a workshop.
Extreme temperatures also affect your battery’s performance and can shorten its life, so professionals must regularly check your battery at least twice a year.
Low tire pressure causes increased friction with the road, overheating the tires and causing premature wear and tear, while high pressure increases the risks of blowouts. So, it’s crucial to maintain the recommended air pressure for your tires.
Your car’s tires don’t wear down evenly, so rotate them every 5000 to 8000 miles, as recommended by experts. Doing so evens the wear and tear on all tires, makes your car respond to steering quicker, makes the ride smoother, and extends tire life.
Engine oil is a crucial car fluid. It cleans the engine openings and protects them from getting clogged by dirt. It also reduces friction inside the engine, ensures the machinery runs efficiently, and protects the engine from heat damage by redistributing heat from the piston to other parts.
Routinely check engine oil levels, and change the oil every 7500-10000 miles as experts recommend. Not changing the oil on time will cause problems with your engine, like overheating and decreased efficiency, which might cost you expensive repairs down the line.
Car fluids include the coolant and brake, transmission, and power steering fluids. Your car’s owner’s manual is an excellent guide on these fluids.
Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze in the radiator that prevents your car’s engine from overheating. Inadequate coolant levels risk corrosion and overheating. Coolant also protects against damage to the head gasket, water pump, cylinder, and piston.
Your brakes require brake fluid to function correctly, and low levels can cause brakes to work inefficiently. Transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts, provides the hydraulic pressure required for proper functioning, and prevents oxidation and rusting.
Low levels of transmission fluid can cause slipping gears and poor acceleration. Power steering fluid ensures the proper working of the power steering pump. Low levels could make the steering wheel hard to turn and noisy.
All these fluids are essential for your vehicle to work properly. Leaks can deplete their levels, so it’s essential to regularly check your car for any fluid leaks and get your car repaired as soon as possible when you notice one.
Your car’s air filter prevents pollutants like dust and pollen from entering the engine. Loosened ones will allow these particles to enter the engines, reducing their efficiency. Clogged air filters will make your air conditioning system stop functioning correctly. Inspect the filter once a year and replace it if needed.
While you can easily do basic car care tasks at home, more advanced repairs require trained technicians. So, you mustn’t skip car maintenance checkups. Check your car’s owner’s manual and determine the mileage at which services are due. Typically, a car requires service every 12000 miles or every 12 months.
Reviewing your auto insurance policy is equally as important. This will ensure that the coverage your policy offers fulfills your needs and protects you fully in case of accidents.
Endnote
Following the mentioned tips will ensure that your car keeps functioning efficiently and smoothly for a long time. Timely maintenance will help save you from expensive repairs in the long run and keep your car’s resale value high.
