04/08/2021
Vehicle Maintenance Tips You Should Never Forget.
Keep Fluids Clean
In addition to having all the fluids in your car clean, you should always remember to change as at when due. Such fluids include your engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, air conditioning coolant and washer fluid.
You should never forget that your engine needs oil to keep its moving parts lubricated. Don’t become so careless as to let the different fluid levels go so low as to pose a problem to the overall functionality of the car.
Don’t Throw Your Car Manual Away
Do you know that a car owner’s manual contains tons of information about car maintenance as well as different safety precautions you should take?
We have already established that having proper car maintenance is a must. However, a good maintenance culture isn’t all about changing the oil and other essential fluids. Rather, it is more about how capable and informed you are as a driver. This is why car manufacturers always include a car owner’s manual.
The Owner’s Manual was not designed to be kept in the glove compartment of your car. Rather, it was created to protect and improve your driving skills. It should, therefore, be your active passenger. It contains all the features and parts of your car. It even goes as far explaining the purpose of all the controls, displays and buttons in your car.
Using the Owner’s Manual can go a long way in saving you a lot of money you might have spent on repair works.
Stick to a Maintenance Schedule
Inside your car, there are a number of things that need to be regularly serviced or replaced at certain intervals. Some of these parts include the brakes, air filter, spark plugs and the timing belt.
You should have a maintenance schedule that covers tasks like replacing the spark plus as well as checking the brake fluid and clutch fluid and refilling them when they need to be refilled.
Other tasks to include in your maintenance schedule should include changing the engine oil, replacing the air filter, replacing the cabin filter, replacing the oil filter and replacing the fuel filter.
In addition to this, you should also:
Check the condition of the tires
Check the level of the power steering fluid and replace when necessary
Check the Brake Pads/Liners, Brake Discs/Drums and replace them when they are worn out
Grease and lubricate the various components of the car
Inspect and replace the timing belt/timing chain if this becomes necessary
Check the level of the Automatic/Manual Transmission Fluid and refill when necessary
Check Tyre Pressure
You should always check your tyre pressure before you drive and this is because temperature differences have different effects on your tyre pressure. Most of the time, the warmer/hotter the temperature is, the higher the likelihood of your tyre pressure to increase.
In order to have the best possible control of your car as well as get higher fuel efficiency, you need to ensure you have proper tyre inflation.
When you fail to check your tyre pressure regularly, your tyres are likely to squeal when negotiating a corner. This is a clear sign that your tyre pressure is low. Your tyres don’t have to start leaking before you check them.
When your tyre pressure drops, you need to fill them with air. Ideally, you should check your tyre pressure once a month.
Change the Windshield Wiper
If your windshield wiper doesn’t clean properly, you should change it.
your wiper blades should be replaced yearly or the moment you notice a difference in your driving visibility.
When a wiper blades begins to fail in making proper contact with the windshield surface, they begin to squeak, chatter, skip and smear – All these cut down your driving visibility, which can be quite dangerous.
Wash and Wax Your Car
If you are looking to protect your car from corrosion while keeping it shiny, you should consider waxing it once in a while. When you have a coat of wax on your car’s paint job, it prevents it from becoming discoloured, oxidated and faded. These naturally come with sun damage to your car.
Deal With Car Problems Immediately
Delay in dealing with minor car issues will cause major issues. so deal with small issues as soon as you discover them.
Stick With Original Car Parts
it is advisable to use original parts for your vehicle. Sub standard parts do more harm than good to your car. it might cost you more but at the end it keeps your car safe and reduces over head cost from regular changing of spare. Care should be taken not to use aftermath car parts.
Aftermarket car parts are replacement parts that are made by a company other than your vehicle’s original manufacturer. These parts are also known as Generic parts or non-OEM parts.
Original car parts come with a greater assurance of quality. These parts work as optimally and as efficiently as the faulty parts you are replacing. You should always remember that It is what the vehicle was manufactured with. Thus, it gives you a huge dose of peace of mind in its performance.
Schedule Your Car For an Annual Maintenance Check
Yearly maintenance check is good for your car. Make sure you use reliable technicians, check legs, all lubricants and liquids etc
Keep an Eye on Your Dashboard
Your car’s dashboard comes with a lot of symbols and lights that you need to pay attention to. If you are keen on keeping your car in good condition, you need to check the dashboard regularly.
Consult your car manual if any light pops up for a guide.
