Maintaining Your Car: A Guide Book

Importance of timely servicing and maintenance

Cars are seen as an asset by many people. It makes travel easier and more comfortable. To have that car in good running condition, we need to check up on it periodically, monitoring the conditions of the car. If we properly maintain the car, it will no longer become a liability for you; it will be a great companion for your travel.

An insight into long-term and short-term check-ups

To perform the best vehicle service, you don't need to be a mechanical whiz, and you need to know what should be done and how often it should be done so that your car will be in good running condition. In this blog, we will discuss the short-term and long-term check-ups that are to be done on your car to ensure the car's working condition. It has an added advantage that if you keep the car in good running condition, the car's resale value will be high.

Short-term Check-ups:

For proper maintenance, please take a look over the following features often.

Oil and Coolant levels

For every month or after a few petrol or diesel fillings and before going on for any long drives in the car, it is good to check the oil and coolant levels in the engine. If the levels are low, please refill according to the manual instructions.

Air Filter

Periodic checking of the engine's air filter is necessary as it regulates the airflow, maintains fuel efficiency, and reduces debris and car emissions. It can be easily done at home, and further instructions can be found in the car manual.

Tyre Pressure and Tread Depth

Tyres are essential and must be kept in good condition for comfortable and safe rides. Check for the tyre pressure before going on long trips. A tyre pressure gauge is used to check the tyre pressure. Headlights, Brakes, Turning signals and Parking lights. Occasionally, examine the car visually for the proper functioning of the brakes and the light signals so that you will be good to go on the roads.

Oil and Filter

The oil in the engine needs to be checked and changed periodically. It does a slew of functions, from lubricating the parts to reducing the wear and tear of the engine and preventing engine corrosion. Changing the engine oil and filter every six months or 10,000 kilometres is advisable based on your usage.

Rotate Tyres

Check for the alignment of the tyres before going on longer drives on bumpy roads, especially because if there are any turns between your wheels, then the ride will not be safe and comfortable.

Long Term Check-ups:

For the best functioning of the car, please check the following.

Transmission Fluid

Much like engine oil, this fluid acts as a lubricant that helps all the moving parts of the transmission to work freely without any corrosion. This needs to be checked and changed if needed to avoid any costly damage or replacement.

Transfer-Case Fluid

In four-wheel vehicles, the transfer case is what transmits the power from the transmission to the axles. So, occasionally, it is good to check the levels of the fluid.

Shock Absorbers

This part controls the impact of the road and rebounds as the vehicle passes the bumpy roads. For every 80000 kilometres, inspecting the shock absorbers and getting them changed by a professional is good.

Coolant Fluid Change

The radiator is a part which helps to keep your engine cool and function properly. Checking the fluid for any contaminants and changing it will increase the engine's efficiency.

Spark Plugs

This is another vital part of your car which is helpful in the ignition of the car. If the spark plugs do not function properly, your car will lose power and transmission.

Serpentine Belt

It's a rubber tube connecting all the peripheral devices of the car, from compressor power steering to the engine. So inspect the tube's condition and change if there is any damage.

Seasonal Check-ups

The following needs to be checked very rarely.

Windshield Wipers

Check for the condition of the wipers and replace them with new ones if needed.

Battery Performance

The battery is one of the most important parts for the vehicle to run. Monitor the battery performance, and if you see any drop in the performance, check the condition of the battery fluid and replace it with the new ones for the best working of the car.

Conclusion:

After discussing all the checkpoints, it is essential to stick to a proper car maintenance schedule and keep good records. This will not only increase the car's life but also save you from breakdowns and other unwanted instances.