10 Essential Car Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car


Wouldn’t you want your car to be looking as fresh and new as the first time you drove it home from the showroom? Car maintenance is a difficult process that requires precision, discipline and not to mention time and money on your part. Yet, most car owners would like to make their vehicles last longer and give a lifetime of good service.


This is not impossible to achieve! All you need for this to happen is to take care of the car’s needs. Follow this comprehensive list of essential maintenance tips for your car to increase longevity and continue owning a vehicle that looks eternally new and shiny.

1.      Park in a covered garage
Parking your car inside protects it from natural elements. Too much sun, heavy snowing or just stray animals - something as basic as bird droppings can harm your vehicle if it is parked outdoors. It is best to car park in a nice shaded area that has a de-cluttered space dedicated solely to your car.

2.      Do not delay repair work
Not getting time to go in for your monthly car service? You should know that even a smallish chip on your windscreen should be repaired immediately. Prolonging repair work can take away from the life of your car. Even if it is a very small issue like a light fixture, you need to get it repaired ASAP.


3.      Read the User’s manual thoroughly
Usually, people buy a car and forget all about the manual. A thorough read of the owner’s manual can give you heavy insight into the workings of your vehicle. It might come in handy when you are stuck with a problem at hand and are fastidiously typing ‘car mechanic near me’ on Google because you have no idea how to solve the issue.

4.      Clean your car regularly
A good wax and wash for the outsides and some super-cleaning for the insides every month will improve the health of your car. Do not procrastinate or delay this process. Even if you are new in town, just find out the nearest service centre by tying in the area, for example, a quick Google search for ‘car service brisbane northside’ will yield a good many number of search results, you can pick and choose a service according to your convenience. 

5.      Preserve your seals and weather-stripping
You can use a rubber protectant to wipe your door and window seals from time to time. If you feel like there are minor leaks from your car’s weather-stripping, get it repaired immediately. Do not let rainwater seep inside your car; it will damage your upholstery in no time.

6.      Stock touch-up paint
Keeping a small can of paint handy will let you touch up the small chips that your car gets every now and then. However minute the chip is, it should not be kept unattended.

7.      Avoid petrol stations with a fresh fill
When the tanks are freshly filled at station, a lot of sediment is stirred up by the turbulence that in turn can clog your fuel filters and injectors. Hence it is advisable to avoid a station with a fresh fill. Go back the next day, or go to a different station for the time being.


8.      Keep your Tyres inflated, rotated and balanced
Regular checks for tyre pressure, wheel balance and regular tyre rotation goes a long way in keeping your wheels sturdy and making the tyres last longer. You can check your tyre pressure and add air if needed all by yourself. This saves you time and money and increases the life of your vehicle.

9.      Improve your driving technique
We’ve saved the best for the last! The smoother you drive, the longer your car will last. This is simple common sense, is it not? However, people with a bit of a rash driver inside of them find it difficult to let go of that adrenalin rush from driving at full speed over bumpers, taking sharp turns, quick brakes and initiating fast take-offs. This is taking away from the longevity of your car. 

Start by being a responsible motorist, keep your speed below the limit, make smooth transitions every time you take a turn or brake – Good driving habits will not only save you money and time, it will make your car last longer.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Fluids you should check to keep your car running smoothly

Image
Fluids are the lifeline of an engine. Keeping a check on them is one of the many things that keep your vehicle running smoothly. It empowers your vehicle and keeps the repair cost low. Even if you don’t know much about the inner workings of a car, don’t worry! Anyone who can pop the bonnet will be able to check the fluid levels, it is that easy. Here are some pointers to give you a basic knowledge of the different types of fluids, what they do and how to check their levels. Engine Oil It is the most important fluid that lubricates the different components of an internal combustion engine. It disperses heat and keeps the working parts clean. Checking for an oil change is the first thing that people learn after getting a car. All you need to do is lift the bonnet, locate the oil dipstick, pull it out and wipe it down. Repeat the process and you will find your oil level. There are indicators to mark a ‘safe’ level. If your oil is within the marked level, you are good t...
Read more

Basic Vehicle Check Most Owners Don't Do - But Should

Image
Your car is one of your best friend! It takes you wherever you want to go, therefore it is of vital that you take proper care and maintenance of your machine. Regular health checkup of your car not only offers you smooth ride without much of hitches but also ensures longevity. Below are some of the very basic checks of your vehicle to avoid any accident or hassle.   The Engine Oil : The life-blood of your car which keeps all the parts run smoothly is the engine oil. You can always check the oil level by yourself. just by pulling out the dipstick and see the level of the oil. If not in required level, take it to the nearest service station. Timely change of oil is also essential as it prevents the wear and tear of engine parts and evokes good performance. The Tire Pressure : Improper inflated tyres not only leads to accidents but also hampers your fuel efficiency. It’s very important that you check the tyres regularly and keep a track of the the correct tire pressure cha...
Read more

How to Jump Start a Car?

Image
If your car battery becomes dead suddenly and you are just in the middle of nowhere to ask for help from a car mechanic , then Jump Starting your car can help you ditch the troublesome situation! Checking the Problem There can be plenty of reasons for why your car isn’t working. Apart from a dead battery, your car may not start because of other reasons such as a malfunctioned car immobilizer system, steering lock, faulty ECS and ignition switch or other such problems. You can be rest assured that your car’s battery is at a fault when you identify any of the following symptoms: The headlights turn dim when you try to start your car. The dashboard and the stereo flickers after you key in the ignition. When you try to start the car, your car cranks very slowly. The interior lights, the clocks or the GPS go dim and sometimes, you are also unable to unlock the car with the push button on the key, but are able to unlock the car manually. Guide t...
Read more