Top 5 Car Maintenance Tips
You do not have to be an auto expert to look after your car. A common sense approach to car maintenance and a few precautionary measures will help keep your car in tiptop condition. Serious problems will always require a professional mechanic, but prevention is always better than cure, so follow our tips to save yourself money and keep your car safe and on the road.
Drive sensibly
Rapid acceleration and deceleration can cause undue stress to your engine and brakes. Drive gently and smoothly to reduce wear and tear. This is particularly important when you first start the engine; you need to give it time to warm up. Contrary to popular belief, however, there is no benefit in leaving your car with the engine idling before you set off. If anything this could actually be harmful, as your engine may become damaged through the build up of soot deposits as a result of insufficient combustion.
Don’t leave your car in the sun
It is not just the mechanics of your car that you should try to protect. Repairing damage to the interior can be costly too. Over long periods strong sunlight can be very damaging to your car’s interior fixtures and fittings. Protect them by parking in a garage or under shade. Investing in a sunshade is a good idea for when you have no choice but to park in the sun. As an added bonus it will make your car more comfortable to drive as well.
Check your oil
Oil is critical to the health of your engine, so it is a good idea to check oil levels and quantity on a regular basis. What’s more it is extremely simple to do, so there is no excuse to leave until your next service. To check the level, your engine must be switched off. Simply find the dipstick (if you don’t know where to look, your owner’s manual will tell you) and wipe it clean. Insert it again into the oil and remove it. Does the oil reach the ‘full’ line? If not, then it needs topping up. Next you should check the quality of the oil. You are looking for a pale and clear appearance; this indicated healthy oil.? If it is dark and opaque, it is time for a change. If it is somewhere in between you should keep an eye on it, as it might need changing soon.
Check your tyre pressure
Checking your tyre pressure is another simple, important, but often overlooked maintenance activity. Driving with the wrong tyre pressure can be very dangerous and will also impact on the fuel economy of your vehicle. You should check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before every long journey. You can do this easily and conveniently at any service station, or you could buy a pressure gauge so that you can check the pressure of you vehicle’s tyres whenever and wherever you like.
Regular service
It is very satisfying to look after your vehicle yourself, but you should not try to do everything yourself. From time to time you should let an expert take a look at it. A regular car service is the single most important thing you can do to maintain the condition of your car. Professional mechanics will be able to pick up and resolve problems before they become serious, preventing possible accidents and saving you money in the long run.
