In the US, there are 69 million car breakdowns annually. They altogether result in $41 billion in lost revenue for the economy. So how can you make sure you don’t end up in that statistic?
Staying up-to-date on vehicle maintenance may assist in protecting your car from possible breakdowns and costly repairs down the road.
Additionally, even if some services should only be handled by experts, maintaining a vehicle doesn’t have to be complicated. In reality, you can complete a lot of important maintenance tasks on your own without taking your car to a repair shop.
Below are seven essential vehicle maintenance tips you should know.
1. Change and Replenish Your Engine Oil Regularly
Engine oil lubricates the moving parts on your vehicle’s engine, preventing friction. Engine oil levels decrease over time.
Even when the oil does not decrease, it accumulates impurities. These impurities interfere with your engine oil’s lubricating abilities. Thus, without changing your oil regularly, you will encounter engine problems.
Check your oil for impurities and change it if necessary. Dirty oil is usually dark. You cannot see your dipstick through the oil layer if you have dirty oil.
If your vehicle has a check engine light, you know it is time to change your oil when the light starts blinking.
Follow the steps below to check your vehicle’s oil level:
- Ensure the engine is off, then open the hood. Find the engine oil dipstick and pull it out.
- Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth, replace it with its sheath, and then pull it out again.
- Check the tip of the dipstick. You will observe markings indicating oil levels.
- If the mark left by the oil is between the minimum and maximum marks, you have enough oil. But, if the oil is at or below the minimum mark, you need to replenish your oil.
The frequency of oil changes varies for different vehicles. Therefore, you must check the car owner’s manual to know when to change your oil.
2. Wash and Wax Your Car Often
Wash your car every week to keep its top coat looking shiny. Bird droppings and liquids like soda and juice are corrosive. Hence, they eat away at your vehicle’s clear coat. Dirt particles may also scratch the vehicle’s surface.
When cleaning your vehicle, ensure you vacuum the interiors and brush out the mats. Wipe the lenses on your dashboard to get rid of dust.
After cleaning, ensure you wax the vehicle exterior. Waxing your vehicle’s exterior protects its paint job.
A coat of wax slows down oxidation and protects your vehicle’s top coat from UV rays. A layer of wax also acts as a barrier against acidic pollutants like bird droppings.
3. Check Your Tires
Tire treads grip the road, ensuring you have enough traction. They also allow water to pass through your tires, allowing you to drive in flooded areas.
With worn treads, your vehicle will likely slip when driving on wet or icy roads. This can result in an accident.
Always check your tires’ treads for signs of wear and tear. Worn tires are vulnerable to a blowout. Therefore, it is best to replace your tires if they have worn treads.
Remember also to check the air pressure on your tires. If your tires have too much air, they become stiff, which makes driving hard. If your tires have low air pressure, you will notice a drop in your mileage.
Consult your owner’s manual to see the recommended pressure for your tires. Check your tire pressure weekly to ensure you have the right amount of air in your tires.
4. Rotate and Balance Your Wheels
As you drive, the friction between your tires and the road causes them to wear out. Over time, you find that the treads on your tires become smooth.
Because your front tires carry the engine’s weight, they wear faster than your back tires. Turning your vehicle also causes your tires to wear unevenly, making your vehicle unbalanced. Rotate and balance your wheels to keep your tires from wearing unevenly.
5. Keep Your Battery Clean
Due to corrosion, the terminals on your car battery may form a white or blue powdery layer. If you do not clean your battery’s terminals, the layer of corrosion may interfere with your battery’s function.
Wipe the terminals on your car battery with a clean cloth and detergent to eliminate corrosion. As you clean, check your battery for signs of damage. Replace your battery if you notice cracks or bulges on it.
6. Check Your Breaks
Your breaks have three essential parts; the calipers, pads, and rotors. Pressing on the brake pedal causes the calipers to exert pressure on the brake pads, pushing them against the rotor. This action creates friction, causing the car to stop.
Over time, when stopping the car, the friction causes the brake parts to wear. Failure to replace worn-out brake parts puts you in danger, as you may be unable to stop your car in an emergency.
Have your mechanic check your brakes if you hear squeaking or feel vibrations when you press on the brakes.
7. Park Under the Shade
Parking your car in the right place is one of the most forgotten vehicle maintenance tips. Even if you have a new vehicle, if you constantly park it in the sun, you will notice that its painted surfaces and interiors start looking dull. The fading happens because UV rays damage your car’s paint job and interiors.
Therefore, always park your car in the shade to prevent UV damage. Not every place you drive to will have a shade. Always use a car shade in such places.
Also, consider adding window tint to your vehicle to prevent interior UV damage. There are multiple types of car window tint to choose from, which match your taste and preferences.
You Now Know Vehicle Maintenance Tips
Unlike your phone or other gadgets, which do well without upkeep, your vehicle cannot last without maintenance.
Vehicle maintenance may seem like a bothersome task. But, it keeps your car running strong throughout its lifespan. Follow the above vehicle maintenance tips to keep your car in top shape.
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