The role of maintenance in prolonging the life of cars is understated. Dedicated, meticulous, and constant care for the vehicle can save you the money you would have given to mechanics or repairers. Knowing that the prices of new cars continue to climb to record highs, it might not be easy to go out there and get yourself a new ride.
Maintenance can prolong the life of the one you already have. If you want to purchase a new one, good maintenance can give your current one a good resale value. But you have to be ready to put in the work. Care for your vehicle with these steps and watch it go places.
1. Check Your Car Battery
A good car battery is supposed to last an average of two to five years, but that doesn’t mean you should wait for that time to check your battery. You should check annually to be sure it’s still in good working condition. Look for signs like dim headlights or the car taking too long to start or not starting at all. Though you can revive the battery by giving it a jumpstart, know that continuous jumpstarting might mean you need to replace the battery.
2. Replace Your Air Filters
The air filter determines the quality of air that goes into your engine. The engine can sputter and fail if anything goes wrong with this filter. The air filter needs regular cleaning to keep it neat. Replacement of the air filter once after every oil change is a good idea. People say filters last for a lifetime, but that isn’t true. Filters don’t last the life of the car. They are cheap enough to replace without making a dent in your pocket.
3. Wheels and Tires
Motion is the main function of a car. It serves to take you from point A to point B with ease. Without tires, motion would be impossible. But we tend to overlook tires and focus on other aspects of the car, thinking the tires will hold up.
Sometimes, the tires wear out before we remember to check them. Modern cars show the tire pressure on the dashboard and alert drivers when the pressure is below the recommended threshold. But if you don’t have the tire pressure display, then be sure to check the tires weekly or at every fuel fill.
4. Windshield Wipers
They might seem small, but wipers can be life savers. Good windshield wipers can ensure you have as much visibility as possible in the event of snow or heavy rainfall. It helps to replace your wiper blades every six to twelve months. When your wipers screech or leave streaks on your windshield, they’re due for replacement.
5. Check Your Brakes
It can be catastrophic if you apply your brakes on the road and they don’t work. Not checking your brakes or inspecting your car might make you miss the telltale signs that your brakes need maintenance.
When checking, you should listen for sounds like scraping, which might mean your brake pads are worn out. Also, listen for rattling sounds; a rotor replacement might be in order. These should not be ignored as they contribute to the prolonged life of your vehicle and your own safety.
6. Check Belts and Hoses
Inspecting the hoses and belts in your engine bay can help prevent engine damage. If you see signs of wear, like bulging and separation in the hoses, it’s time for replacement. The same needs to be done for the belts in the vehicle. The belts help with the timing of the alternator, air conditioner condenser, and many other important parts. If any of these belts show signs of wear, they must be replaced as soon as possible.
7. Wash the Car Regularly
Regularly washing your car contributes to the overall health and looks of the vehicle. Washing keeps it shiny and prevents dirt from seeping into its color, making the car look faded. It costs little to wash the car. So, considering its benefits, why not wash it once or twice a week?
8. Check Fluid Levels Regularly
Always check the fluids in your car to ensure they are up to the required levels—engine oil, brake fluid, grease, and power steering fluid. Look for ways to access their fill level to know which one to replace. Motor oil and transmission fluids are accessed with dipsticks, windshield washer fluid is held in a reservoir, and brake fluid can be accessed from under the hood. These things should be checked regularly.
9. Read Your Owner’s Manual
It might seem simple, but lots of people neglect to do this. The owner’s manual of your car is one of the most important documents because it carries specific instructions about how it should be used. It provides information about when some parts of the vehicle should be serviced. Follow the instructions well, and your car will benefit from it.
10. Proceed Gently on Poor Roads
If you’re treading a dirt road or one riddled with potholes, it is always advisable to drive below full speed. You don’t want to risk blowing out your tire on a pothole. Slow down and maneuver around these broken roads. Your car will thank you for it.
11. Clean Brake Dust From Wheels
To enhance tire life, check your wheels regularly for brake dust. Brake dust is a material that comes from the interaction of the brake pads and brake rotors with the wheels. It needs to be removed regularly.
12. Pay Attention to Warning Lights
The warning lights in your car are there for a purpose. They notify you about an impending mechanical issue. If, all of a sudden, you find the check engine light, brake warning light, electrical fault light, or any similar light blinking, it’s time to call a technician to have a look. Please don’t ignore it, as this could be crucial.
13. Always Check the Coolant
The coolant is an important part of the vehicle. The coolant prevents overheating in the car by dissipating the heat energy generated in the motor to the environment. Therefore, it’s also something that should be regularly checked to be sure it’s in good shape to maintain the health of the engine.
14. Refuel at Reputed Pumps
The quality of the fuel you inject into the car also has a role in the engine’s longevity. Dirty gasoline being pumped into the car can pollute the engine, so you need to monitor the stations you refuel at. Reputable stations use filters, so the chances of dirty gasoline getting into the car are limited.
15. Check Spark Plugs
Spark plugs can get worn out and won’t reciprocate whenever you’re trying to start the engine. They help maintain the function of the motor, so you need to always check that they’re working and make sure to replace any that have failed.