Maintaining the car is absolutely essential to keep it in a good working condition. This also helps in keeping you, your co-passengers and your fellow drivers safe.
Some of the tips to maintain the car are given below-
- Inspect your car-
Apart from checking the tire pressure and washing your car, it is imperative to know how to do the basic inspection of your car’s vital parts. It helps in keeping car in a good condition for a long time. Thoroughly reading the user manual is necessary.
The wear and tear on the tires can be reduced and a good gas mileage can be ensured if you know how to maintain your car’s tire pressure. Finding the recommended pressure, checking the PSI and inflating or deflating your tires accordingly are all a part of process checking your tire pressure. Many preventive steps can be taken to avoid a flat tire as it is hazardous. Rotate your tires 5000 to 10000 miles and watch for tire recalls.
- Changing car’s oil-
Regularly checking and changing your car’s oil is necessary to keep its engine in running condition. Oil should be checked every month and changed as written in the car owner’s manual. Oil can be changed on your own or can be changed in a service center. Changing oil on your own would require to know important steps such as- draining the fluid, putting the correct oil and disposing off the old oil. Knowledge of the right type of motor oil that is best for your vehicle is essential. You can change the oil yourself or go to a service center. The oil viscosity, whether to use synthetic versus non-synthetic oil and your car’s mileage are the three things to be considered.
- Checking fluids-
For the car to run smoothly, some fluids need to be kept at proper levels. You or your mechanic should check-
1) Engine oil
2) Coolant
3) Power steering fluid
4) Brake fluid
5) Transmission fluid
Your car’s functioning will be affected by a leak with any of these fluids. You may be able to identify the fluid by its color, if you spot a leak. This can help you and your mechanic determine where the leak is coming from. It can also help speed up the repair process.
- Testing the lights-
A burnt out or broken bulb is dangerous. Properly inspect every bulb in your car. Take your car to an expert to know whether it’s the bulb or the fuse that needs replacing if a bulb is out. The main safety lights on your car are headlights. They should be kept shining bright by cleaning the lenses and replacing the bulbs as they start to dim.
- Replacing windshield wipers-
Don’t let the problem drag on if your wipers aren’t functioning properly. Visibility during heavy rains or snowstorm can be reduced due to damaged or worn out blades. Learn how to inspect the wiper blades consistently and replace them when essential. It is one way to keep your car safe.
- Replace your engine air filter-
Dust and other particles get into your car’s engine and bring down its efficiency in case you have a dirty engine air filter.
- Routine checkups-
Cars should be inspected at home regularly though some tasks need qualified technicians. In case you see engine lights come on, take your car for a check -up. Through the car’s on-board diagnostics port (OBD-2), technicians can detect problems with the car’s core components like the alternator and the wheel bearings can be replaced and inspected by a qualified repair shop. Routine checkups will make sure that other maintenance items of your car are also repaired.
- Check your brakes-
Regular inspection of your car’s brake pads is required. Listen to any brake noise and look out for shuddering or vibrating from brake pedals when driving. Visit a service center in case of any such problem.
- Car wash-
Road salt, ice melt, bird droppings, tree saps, dust are some of the elements that affect your car. The undercarriage and paint of the car gets damaged by some these elements. A clean car prevents long term damage. Look out for the car washing method that works, regularly wash your car or get it washed from a car wash shop.
- Inspect hoses and belts-
Car’s hoses and belts need to be kept in great shape as this would help in preventing breakdown of your car on road and ensure its smooth running. For example a breakdown of your serpentine belt while driving may lead to a failure in your car’s systems. Get your car’s belts and hoses checked at every oil change as it would ensure that they are in a top- notch condition and don’t have to be changed time and again.
- Review your car’s insurance-
Your car’s insurance policy needs to be renewed timely akin to your car’s checkup. This helps your policy’s coverage’s, limits are as good as new and suitable for your present situation.
- Take care of the battery-
Car’s battery is a major source of power for all electrical systems. Problems with the battery can cause a burnout of wires and fuses which can cause major issues. Your car battery should be checked once a month and water level, loose connections, rust should be taken care of.
- Spic and span windows-
It is absolutely essential to keep your windows neat and clean as they enable you to look outside the car. If they are not kept clean they would inhibit proper visibility and cause accidents. Cracked, broken and damaged windows should be replaced without a delay.
- Change air filter every 12,000 miles-
This is a super maintenance job. Regularly changing your car’s air filter increases fuel efficiency, increases your engine’s life and decreases emissions.
- Inside of the car should be kept neat-
Don’t treat inside of your car as a dustbin. Keep your interiors neat and tidy so it doesn’t resemble a garbage can. This will make your driving more enjoyable.
The above tips to maintain your car will keep you in good stead. A smooth running, clean and well -maintained car with the help of getpitstop.com is an asset. A local mechanic or a car repair should be contacted immediately in case of any malfunction in the car to ensure safety.
