6 essential car maintenance tips
As written for The Safe Driver.
There are 69 million breakdowns in the US every year. Combined, they have an economic impact of $41 billion in lost revenue. So how do you ensure that you don’t end up in that statistic?
One way is to look after your vehicle correctly. Read on as we discuss the essential car maintenance tips you need to know.
1. Checking Fluids
There are multiple fluids present in your vehicle. Without them, its mechanical parts cannot operate. In extreme cases, you can cause permanent engine damage if you have not checked and replaced fluid levels.
Your oil is the most important of these. It works to keep your engine parts lubricated. Without them, parts will grind together, increasing strain and the chance of breakages.
Remove your oil cap and take out the dipstick. Wipe it with a cloth, then dip it back in. When you remove it, the oil level should be between the two markers.
Though not a fluid, you should also change the oil filter as part of your car maintenance checklist. The filter captures any pollutants like dirt and debris that may have made it into the oil. When the filter is clean, more debris will get picked up from your oil, increasing its efficiency.
After this, check the other fluids in your vehicle. Coolant is very important, particularly in the summer months. Without it, your car may overheat. Other than this, look at windscreen wiper fluid, transmission fluids, and power steering fluid.
2. Tire Inspections
Car repair and maintenance also increase safety. One area where this is essential is in the tires. As they are there to grip the road and help you gain traction, ones that are not fit for purpose can result in a lack of control.
Your tires also take a lot of punishment. Start by checking the tread is at an acceptable amount. The penny test is a great way to test this.
Take a penny and place it into the groove of your tires. If Lincoln’s head is obscured by the tread in any way, you are fine. However, if the tread does not reach him then you need new tires.
If your tires do have tread, you need to check they have the right pressure. If not, handling will be harder, and your car could drift. It will also wear them down quicker.
Your manual will give you the correct PSI for your tires. Check them regularly, as the pressure can go up and down as the temperature fluctuates. A sudden change in weather can change things quickly.
3. Check the Battery
Flat or faulty batteries are a common cause of breakdowns. A battery should be replaced around every three years to prevent this. However, extreme temperatures can increase fluid loss and oxidization of the parts, so it is important to add a check to your basic car maintenance schedule.
Your car itself can give warning signs that the battery is about to go. The engine may turn over much slower than usual. You may also see the red battery light inside the car begin to flicker.
Dirt on the battery itself, and the connectors can stop it from providing power even if charged. Make sure you clean these areas periodically and check for any damage to the battery.
It is possible to recharge a battery. However, if you have had it for a long time, it may be more cost-effective to replace it.
4. Check the Lights
The lights are often one area neglected in a car. Yet they are vital for nighttime vision and signaling to other drivers. A broken light is one of the main reasons you are likely to be pulled over by the police.
You can test the headlights yourself by turning them on and checking all settings. Ask someone to help you out with the brake lights. Get them to sit in the driver seat and pump the brake while you check behind the vehicle.
5. Change the Air Filter
The air filters stop any dust, dirt, and pollutants from making their way into your engine. You need air to keep it going and to cool it. When they come loose or get clogged with dirt, that air stops getting through, and the bits that do are often contaminated.
If air is not getting through your car will lose power. You will burn more fuel as a result. Replacing the filter is an easy task, and you can get a car repair and maintenance expert to do it for you should you wish.
6. Clean the Car
Cleaning your car does not just keep it looking good. When dirt, bugs, bird droppings, and road salt cling to your vehicle, they can corrode it. If this breaks through to the chassis, you could soon see rust set into the vehicle.
Hose your car down with clean, cold water. You can then use soap or a car cleaning solution to wipe it down. After this, you should dry it by hand to avoid streaks.
There are several other methods you can use to protect the bodywork. Many people choose to wrap their car bodies. You can also get clear bra paint protection that will provide protection.
Creating Your Car Maintenance Schedule
Now you know the essential car maintenance methods, you can create a schedule. Some of these tasks will need doing more frequently than others. Others may only need to be performed seasonally.
If you find this article informative, we have many more. From maintenance to planning trips, we can keep you on the road in the coming years.