Whether you have just bought a four-wheeler or have been a proud owner for long, basic car maintenance tips can help extend the life of your vehicle. If you want guidance to keep your car in top-notch condition, here are some ways to keep it running smoothly.
Here is a comprehensive vehicle maintenance checklist for every car owner.
1. Inspect and maintain tyres.
Checking your car’s tyre pressure involves knowing the prescribed air pressure and inflating or deflating according to the owner’s manual. Knowing how to keep the tyre in your car’s tyre pressure reduces its wear and tear and makes it consume less fuel. A flat, lower, or higher car tyre issue can be a hazard to you and your car.
2. Change engine and gearbox oil
Lubrication for the engine and gearbox makes several parts of the machine move smoothly. A routine oil change guarantees your car’s good health. Check your oil level, top it up, or drain to fill new oil as indicated in the owner’s manual. Among the most important car checklist items is ensuring that the oil levels are within the required specifications.
The other method is getting it done at the service centre. Always ensure you understand all the procedures of changing your engine and gearbox oil in depth before attempting it yourself. This will also reduce the possibility of using unsuitable oil for your car, considering most people know the different kinds of oil to be used on their cars and, most importantly, based on the viscosity level, usually.
3. Check fluids
An ICE-propelled car requires several liquids for it to run well. These are engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and gearbox oil. Leakages of any of these liquids will alter how your car runs. Take it to a service centre if you see a leakage, have it fixed, and then fill up or change the fluids as described in the owner’s manual.
4. Test the lights
A broken or non-functioning light can become a hazard. Check if the blinkers, tail lights, and headlights are working. If any of them are not working, you should take your car to a service centre and have it replaced if necessary. Headlights, tail lights, and turn indicators will keep you and other road users safe. Make sure to replace a burnt bulb, non-working LED, or projector headlamps.
5. Windscreen wiper blades check
The windshield wipers are always at play as they keep the rainwater away so you to view everything with enough clarity. Bad and worn-out wipers don’t function the right way and you begin losing the view, especially at night. Check them well from your service centre and if needed change them so you are on the safe side together with your car.
6. Air filter Changes often
Change your car air filters regularly as their functions do not work as smoothly once clogged up and will ensure you breathe some fresh air in the car especially if it’s very wet.
The air filter assists in the proper functioning of the car engine.
A dirty air filter causes damage to the engine and its parts as particulate matter can enter through the air filter, which shortens the life of your car. Make sure to replace them according to the owner’s manual or consult with your service centre for peak performance.
7. Regularly wash your car.
Grime and dirt may damage the paint and rust the car’s metal parts. Cleaning your car regularly may prevent long-term damage. Always wash your car, especially after a long journey. Find a car washing service centre that meets your needs, and always keep your car clean for a longer lifespan.
8. Good insurer
Review your car insurance company. This ensures that the limits, coverage’s, and deductibles of your policy are set according to your existing requirements. Choose digital insurers such as ACKO for swift claims, online car insurance renewals, and paperless experiences.
9. Take care of your car’s battery.
Your car’s battery is very essential in the working of your car. A dead battery will leave you with an unresponsive car. Make sure you check the battery regularly to extend its life and, if need be, get it replaced.
10. Don’t miss the service date.
Servicing your car at authorized service centers is a norm that helps you diagnose the various underlying issues that may otherwise lead to big problems for a long time. Such is especially critical in this new car maintenance checklist.
11. Park your car in a safe area.
Park your car under a covered and safe area. That means your car will not have to suffer from the attacks of dust, fallen branches of trees, and theft. If you will be parking on the street, ensure that you have acquired a four-wheeler cover that will protect it against dust and dirt.
12. Do not disregard the squeaky sounds.
As the car grows old, there is a possibility that car parts may squeak due to wear and tear. Do not ignore such sounds since they might be a sign of a bigger problem. Get the vehicle inspected at an authorized service centre to rule out any long-term issues.
13. Drive with care
Do not rev up to the highest possible RPM as soon as you are starting the car, especially if it is a freezing environment. Shift gears well and do not rush past them to prolong the lifetime of the gearbox.
14. Clean the interiors
It will also require some cleaning in the interior parts. There are upholstery sections in a car that may attract some dust and also become messy. Clean it with proper cleaning products on the recommended parts. For the dashboard, make use of a soft cloth as a surplus of dirt or too many scratches can prevent reading through the gauges.
15. Do not overload your car.
Don’t overload your car with more than the recommended loads. Roof loading with additional over and above weight or more passengers may cause damage and lower the vehicle’s mileage lifetime. You have to abide strictly by the prescribed weight restriction according to the owner’s manual in keeping your automobile.
Car care tips: beginners guide
Here are some necessary car care guideline tips for first-time car users.
Read your car’s owner’s manual to know how to keep it in good condition so that it lasts long.
- Know the warning lights on your car’s dashboard.
- Keep the engine and the engine bay clean not to allow dirt, grease, or other unwanted debris to damage the engine.
- Have your wheel alignment done at the right time to keep your car’s tyres in good condition.
- Keep topping up the brake fluid to maintain performance.
Advantages of car maintenance
Here are some critical benefits of maintaining your car regularly.
1. Car life
A well-maintained car is more likely to run more frequently without repair, thus decreasing the total cost of owning it.
2. Efficiency and performance
Driving carefully and keeping in mind the essential car maintenance tips will give you optimum performance and fuel efficiency, which saves you money.
3. Resale value increases
The maintenance of the car will increase the value of the car in terms of resale to the marketplace compared to cars that do not have much maintenance care.
4. Break-down is less likely.
Breakdowns during long journeys become less probable for a properly maintained car.
5. Safety of occupants
A poorly maintained car means increased chances of wear and tear of parts, including critical ones for the safety of the occupants, like brakes, tyres, and even the engine’s functionality. Worn-out parts can result in accidents. The prompt replacement of parts to prevent accidents and ensure safe transport of the occupants becomes a possibility with regular maintenance.
Interesting fun facts about car maintenance
Here are some fun facts about car maintenance.
One day, a woman was inspired by the design of the windshield wiper after she saw that a streetcar operator had to leave his car’s window open during a sleet storm so he could extend his arm and wipe off the windshield.
ABS or Anti-lock Braking System was patented more than half a century ago. ABS was first utilized by the aviation world before eventually evolving into one of the highly important car safety accessories available today.
A vehicle typically requires six types of liquids that will be essential in the smooth running of your automobile. These fluids are oil used in the engine, the coolant fluid, the braking fluid, the power steering fluid, the windscreen wash and gearbox oil.