Expert Car Maintenance Tips

Maintenance of a Car

Driving around without giving importance to maintenance can take a toll on your car, damaging its rubber and plastic parts, and interfering in its overall performance. There are several things you must keep in mind to ensure proper maintenance of your car.

Most Common Car Issues

• Engine overheating
• Broken air conditioning
• Worn wiper blades
• Low tyre pressure
• Broken drive belt
• Tyre bursts
• Fuels leaks
• Weak battery

What to Consider While Caring for Your Car?

Examine the AC

During summer, you use the air conditioner to the maximum. You might not have used the AC during the monsoon or winter season – therefore, it is important to check the condition of the car AC before the heat of the summer takes over. A simple fix may be a refrigerant charge. Adding refrigerant to your car can give the AC system a boost.

Examine the air pressure of the tires

Not only during the summer, you must check the air pressure of the tires occasionally. You might want to look for signs that your tires are under or overinflated. Optimal tire pressure can avoid a flat tire or a tire blowout. Ensuring your tires are properly inflated can also help maximize mileage.

Inspect engine fluids

Seasonal weather changes can impact the engine fluids of your car. They tend to thin or even evaporate in warm temperatures. When the summer is near, you might want to top off the transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid.

Oil and filter change

Getting the oil and filter changed is one of the simplest ways to increase the performance of your car. Oil lubricants keep your engine safe from wear and tear and the oil filter aids in removing contaminants from the car’s engine oil. If you don’t change the oil routinely, it can develop costly oil problems like particle buildup that could wear down vital parts of the car.

Examine the brakes

You rely on the brakes when you go for long drives. Therefore, it is important to check the brakes regularly. Other than poor stopping performance, you will want to listen for squealing or growling sounds when testing your brakes. You must also check for brake pulling, or if your car pulls to one side when you press the brake pedal.

Replace windshield wipers

Visibility is an important requirement while you are behind the wheel. During the summer, dust and pollen particles or even the sun’s glare can impact your vision through the windshield. Make sure you check your windshield wipers’ effectiveness to eliminate anything that could minimize visibility. Also, if the headlights seem dim or weak, immediately change them to make sure you can see clearly during the night.

Keep the engine cool

All cars have a cooling system with the job of removing heat from the engine to maintain proper temperatures. The cooling system is made of coolant, hoses, a thermostat, a radiator, and a water pump. The temperature gauge designed to measure the coolant levels in your car will indicate if your engine’s coolant is cold, normal, or overheating.

Park your car in the shade

During summer, try and park your car in the shade whenever possible. Parking your car in a shaded spot not only keeps you cool but can prolong its life. The rays of the sun could damage the exterior and paint of your car which could be expensive to fix. Extreme heat could also heat the inside of your car, like the steering wheel and leather seats, making it difficult to drive.

In a Nutshell

Whether it be a used car or a new car, maintaining your car will result in good performance. You need to know different tips and tricks to care for your car yourself. Washing your car and keeping the interiors clean are other things you can keep in mind.