Skip to main content

Ultimate Guide to Car Maintenance Tips That You Should Know

 

Preventive maintenance for your car can help to increase its life, maintain performance, save money on repairs and increase resale value.


car maintenance, car service, car repair

Proper maintenance ensures a smooth, safe drive, while preventing major blowouts or engine failure. Many car owners do not take this seriously and they encounter serious mechanical problems that could have been avoided.

Preventive maintenance doesn’t cost too much and it pays off in the long term by averting more expensive repairs later on.

Here are some tips to keep your car running right:

  • Schedule regular Service to know about health status of all parts including suspension and clutch.
  • Get oil and air filters changed regularly.
  • The car’s coolant level must be between the Min and Max level as per the user manual. You can check this once a week when the car ignition is off, and the engine is cold.
  • Before driving watch for warning lights, note performance changes and listen to your car — any changes or unusual noises are worth having checked before a more serious fault develops.
  • To keep your car’s air-conditioning system fit for the next warm season, run it a few times throughout the winter. This will prevent moving parts in the compressor from seizing. Also, circulating the refrigerant will help keep the seals soft and pliant.
  • Buy fuel at the reputed fuel stations only.
  • Get fluids flushed at least once every two years
  • Keep an eye on your timing chain’s replacement schedule. Generally, manufacturers will mention a KM reading at which timing chain must be replaced to avoid damage to the engine.
  • Watch out for any oil or coolant leakages and get them fixed immediately.
  • Check power steering oil level regularly.
  • Worn suspension can increase stopping distance by up to 20%. The components of the suspension should be checked regularly for signs of physical damage or excess wear. The shock absorbers should be looked over for fluid leaks. The suspension can be checked while driving, by keeping an eye on steering wheel vibrations or even ‘nose diving’ when stopping.
  • Check tyre air pressure each month and keep tyres at the best pressure.
  • Get the tyre restated and balanced as required or as stated by technician.
  • Monitor tyre treads and get tyres replaced as needed.
  • Keep an eye on Brake pad thickness and get pads replaced when needed.
  • Make note of the car’s fuel efficiency and notify the technician on any changes.
  • The way you drive reflects on your car. If you drive rashly, then your car has the chances of wear faster and can also damage your car permanently. By driving smartly and safely, you not only ensure less wear and tear on your car but also can save up on your fuel costs.
  • It is important keep engine exterior clean too. Some minor debris in the wrong place can do a lot of damage if not checked.
  • Make Sure the battery cable connections are tight and the terminals are free from Corrosion. If the battery is more than 3 years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested to determine how much life it has left.
  • Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods. This is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during break-in period. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine.
  • Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Make sure the windshield water reservoir is filled.
  • All car lights must be checked once a week. These include indicators, reversing lights, brake lights, and fog lights. Also look out for any dirt on the lenses or broken/cracked bulbs.
  • Washing doesn’t just get the dust off your vehicle, it maintains the new look of your car. There are many regular exterior elements that, if not removed or cleaned regularly, can damage the car’s body, strip away its wax and dull down the paint.

Popular posts from this blog

I went to a Psychologist and here's what I learnt about therapy

  I went to therapy during a tough phase in my life as we all probably find ourselves in sometimes. I chose by my own accord to try therapy. I already had an interest in psychology since I was a teenager. I also watched, The Sopranos , one of the greatest TV shows of all time which incorporated therapy as one of the main plot lines and I thought, let me give therapy a shot. The point of this article is to help anybody who might find themselves in a place where they need help and want to find the right therapist but don't have the information on the same. I'm writing here my observations, experience and learnings that I wished I knew before I picked my first therapist. Image courtesy - icons8.com She was a good listener and I felt good after talking to her in the sessions most of the time. She was considerate about extending the time limit after each session to maintain continuity and allow me to complete in a flow. She listened patiently, although at times she would provide som...
Read more

Everything You Need to Know about the Importance of Regular Car Service

  A regular car service can maintain and monitor the health of various vital parts and extend the life of your car. Cars tend to lose power at an estimated 1 BHP per year. This may vary depending on the car’s usage and kilometers been driven. In most cases, full service can help with this. A well-maintained car can help you stay stress-free, avoid breakdowns and major issues in the future which can save you a lot more money in the long run. A regular car service   can maintain and monitor the health of various vital parts and extend the life of your car. Here are some valid reasons to get your car serviced regularly, Engine health An oil change is the most important part of any car service. If oil is not changed regularly, sludge can build up and will stop the engine from being sufficiently lubricated. The engine can be thought of as the heart of the car, and if not lubricated, engine failure is likely and repairs are expensive. Coolant is also critical as it degrades over tim...
Read more

Investment insights from the intelligent investor - part two

Benjamin Graham's definition of investing is, "An investment operation is one which, upon thorough analysis, promises safety of principal and an adequate return." The pitfalls faced by new investors in the stock market are so many that it's not prudent to walk into it without any basic principles. These basic principles are offered in the book to protect you from speculators and gimmicks in the market as well as saving you a ton of money and keeping away emotional rollercoasters along the way. Image for representational purpose only. Source - Google Images In this second part of the series of blogs on the insights from the intelligent investor (Revised edition, with commentary by Jason Zweig), we look at more key takeaways from the book, that remains relevant to our times. Click here for part one. Thoroughly analyse a company, and the soundness of its underlying businesses, before you buy its stock. Deliberately protect yourself against serious losses. As...
Read more