Spending resources to buy something new is difficult, but even more challenging is the effort and resources required to maintain it. It is no different for a car. Proper maintenance is important to increase the life of a car. Apart from scheduled services and frequent car washes, here are 4 basic car maintenance tips that you should know.
- Check the filters
There is the oil filter, the air filter, fuel filter, and many other new filters that modern cars are fitted with. Oil filters collect debris from dirty oil. Replace it every time you change the oil. Similarly, check the condition of the air filter and clean it with compressed air every two months to improve its efficiency. Replacing the air filter once a year would ensure the air inside the car is fresh and the functioning of the air conditioning unit is not affected. The health of the car’s engine and its efficient performance, amongst other things, depends on a clean air filter. - Check fluid levels
Brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil, there are quite a few you have to check. Brake fluid must be checked on a monthly basis. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions from the bottle or your car’s manual book to properly refill this fluid. The engine oil is next. Too little or too much oil, more than the prescribed level would affect the engine’s performance and life. To maintain it at the correct level. Find out how frequently engine oil has to be changed and what the right quantity to be filled is and strictly adhere to it. This prevents the engine from heating up or other parts like the spark plug from malfunctioning. - Wheel alignment and tire pressure
Two of the main parts of a car, the wheels and tires must be given due attention as it has to endure the wear and tear. Checking the alignment of your car’s wheels is important especially if the steering feels tight or if you feel the car pulling to one side. Check the tire pressure twice a month. Tires lose air in hot weather, so increase the frequency of filling them with air in summer months. Tires that are not inflated with the right amount of air tend to wear them easily, lower the efficiency of the car, and reflects badly on the driving performance as well. - Tire rotation and replacement
Rotating the tires facilitate even wear and tear of all the tires of your car. Trust a tire dealer with the right time to rotate the tires. Check the treads on your tires every two/three months especially if you drive in a rainy, snowy or rugged terrain often. To prevent hydroplaning in rain and skidding in snow, tires must have enough traction left in them. It is essential that old worn out tires are replaced with newer ones periodically. The same goes for the mud flaps behind the tires too. They play an important role by preventing muck and debris from entering the car’s internal parts.
