There is a need to discuss essential car maintenance tips because no one wants to drive a car that is faulty, dirty, or in bad condition.
And you certainly don’t want your car to get to that point where it looks unattractive or old even when it hasn’t been long you started using it.
The importance of maintaining your car cannot be overemphasized because the newer and in better condition your car is, the better it will serve you.
For your car to keep performing optimally there is a need to regularly maintain it. And most times, you don’t need much to have your car running efficiently and looking its best.
Scheduling your car maintenance and following it up regularly is a sure way to enjoying your car for a long time.
Aside from that, maintaining your car will save you money that would have gone to repairs.
Although you can always refer to your car’s user manual for maintenance tips, however, the simple steps that we will be listing out shortly are worth noting.
Ready to learn our tips? Here we go!
Car Maintenance Tips
Change engine oil as and when due
There is always a little confusion that goes with when a car user should change his or her car’s engine oil. Initially, the recommendation from car owners had been to change it once it hits the 5000 km.
But the tides are changing and most manufacturers now suggest a change from 12,000 to 15,000 km.
One quick way to determine if the oil is due for a change is to read the manufacturer’s suggestion, or use the dipstick and stick into your car engine oil and if it’s dirty, then you should probably change it.
If it is lesser than the mark, then you should top it up. Always note down the date of your last oil change for reference purposes.
Check your tire pressure
Once every week, check your tire pressure using a gauge to make sure your tires are always in top shape.
Check steering fluid
For a smooth running steering, you need your fluid level to be up to the bar. Other things to check alongside the fluid are belts and hoses for signs of wear, and also the level of transmission fluid.
Check your brake
Your car brake goes through a lot of pressure from having to drive through traffic and long distances. If you hear or experience any of the following, it means it’s time to change your brake:
- Vibration when you stop or slow down
- A high squealing noise, especially while braking
- The brake takes time to engage when you step on the pedal
- Metal kind of grinding sound
- If the steering moves you to one side of the road when applying the brake
- A foul smell from the brake
You don’t want to end up with a brake you can’t control in the middle of the road. Always endeavor to change your brake every 2 years, especially if you use the car often.
Balance and rotate your tires
In case you didn’t know; rotating and balancing your tires will prevent them from wearing out too quickly.
This is one of the basic essential car maintenance tips car mechanics don’t joke with. Just rotate and balance the front tires with the back tires from time to time to increase their durability. And do not overlook the importance of proper alignment.
Check the lights
You need to check your car lights weekly to make sure they are working perfectly. See if there is any cracked bulb or frozen dirt that needs to be attended to.
Check air filter
Some faults your car has developed are as a result of a faulty air filter. These avoidable faults can be solved by you changing your air filter every 12000 miles or every 12 months.
If you don’t want to breathe in unhealthy air from your car AC while driving, you need to carry out this maintenance. Your mechanic can replace the air filter in your car park or garage in no time. But you can do it yourself and here’s how:
Find the filter in the car hood. It’s that black color rectangular box with metal clips. If you can’t detect it easily, refer to the manual.
Remove the air filter casing and carefully pay attention to its direction. You can jot down the filter’s direction.
Then insert a new filter and make sure it is placed the same way the old one you removed was placed.
Close the air filter metal clips and you would have succeeded in changing the air filter yourself.
If you are not yet ready to replace your old air filter, you can clean it out by making use of compressed air so as to increase its life span.
Wash your car
This may sound funny, but did you know that if dirt stays on your car for a long time it could expose it to rust? Or strip it of its wax and leave you with a dull-looking car?
Besides, washing your car ensures that your car keeps looking neat and new. Don’t neglect that bird dropping, dirt, chemical, and other things in your car because they can cause more harm than good if left for a long time.
You don’t need much to give your car a good wash. All you need is a soft cloth or sponge if you want to mild-clean the car.
If you are going to make use of soap, it should be the one made specifically for cars and not your usual cleaning soap. Make sure you are using a nonabrasive sponge so that you don’t scratch the paint.
And when you are done cleaning the window, get an old newspaper and polish it off; you will be surprised at the result. While you are at it, try to vacuum the inside of your vehicle to get rid of dust and get them sparkling again.
Cover it up
If you are taking a long trip and you’re leaving your car behind, cover it up to protect it from sunlight and other pollutants.
These 9 essential car maintenance tips will ensure that you keep enjoying your car for as long as possible without all those unnecessary trips to the mechanic. Let’s know what you think of these tips in the comment section below.
You may also like to visit our recent article- How To Change A Tire Like A Pro- For Better Knowledge.