Your car needs to be maintained if you want it to run as smoothly and safely as possible, and to avoid costly repairs.
Here are 07 simple tips to help you maintain your car.
1. Keep it clean
It’s nice to drive around in a spotlessly clean car, but there are more practical reasons to get out the bucket and the sponge.
You are actually legally required to keep your car’s license plates, lights, exterior mirrors, and windows clean. Dirty license plates are more difficult to read; dirty lights and mirrors are not as effective; and your view can be obscured by dirty windows.
2. Check your tires
It’s important to keep your car’s tires at the correct pressure. Low pressure makes your car less fuel efficient and affects its drivability, with potentially dangerous results. Open your car’s driver’s door and you’ll see a panel on the inside edge that lists the correct pressures for the front and rear tires. Most gas stations offer air pumps that allow you to enter the correct pressure number and then inflate the tire to that level automatically.
3. Take care of your car battery
When you turn your car’s ignition off, any electrical equipment that hasn’t been turned off, like lights or the stereo, goes into standby mode to turn on automatically when you start the car. This sleep mode consumes some battery power, so if the car is not used for a long time afterwards, the battery may drain.
4. Check fluid levels
Cars need many fluids to run properly, including oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. It is easy to check the levels of these fluids yourself.
5. Watch the fuel gauge
Running out of gas is not only extremely inconvenient, it can also be bad for your car, as debris at the bottom of the fuel tank can be sucked into the engine. Diesels also need their fuel systems to be “purged” of any trapped air before they can be refilled. If your car is out of fuel, don’t be tempted to drive to a cheaper, more distant gas station. This could turn out to be a false economy if you end up having to pay for repairs.
6. Take care of your windshield
You should keep your car’s windshield clear and free of damage so that you always have a good view. It is essential to fill up with washer fluid and clean the wiper blades.
It’s also worth checking to see if your wiper blades are damaged. Lift them off the windshield and run your finger along the blade. If it feels shredded, it should be replaced.
7. Have your car serviced regularly
By far the best way to keep your car looking and feeling great is to have it serviced regularly and properly by your dealer or a qualified mechanic. Many cars will remind you with a message on the dashboard when a service is due. If in doubt, check your car’s manual or service book to find out when its next service is due.
