1. Inspect Fluids Level: Oil and Coolant
Car efficiency is the best way to guarantee car safety.
Preventive maintenance is the fundamental step to increase the life of your car, and assure critical components are running smoothly. Regularly scheduled maintenance to replace old worn parts might be a great way to save thousands of dollars. With normal wear and tear, breakdowns could show up and cause major issues and expenses. This is why by improving your car’s safety you are also minimizing unexpected road emergencies.
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Moreover, maintenance has many benefits. It
enhances vehicle performance, raises the resale value, aids the environment,
and gives you a dealership-looking vehicle. To keep an optimum vehicle, the
following maintenance tips will help you do your weekly car inspection and to
identify malfunctions early on.
For a safety inspection of these, the engine
must have cooled down. Take out the oil dipstick and carefully clean it. Then,
put it back again and pull. The oil level on the stick reveals the oil level
inside. Performing a radiator flush
assures its system is working properly. Since working with temperature is
risky, make sure you know how to do it or leave it to a professional. It is
important to check also the power steering fluid and transmission fluid levels.
Air filters should be changed every 12 months or
every 12,000 miles. This is a minor replacement and a saving money move. To do
this locate your filter, and after removing the casing, remember the position
of the air filter inside. Remove it and clean out the debris with compressed
air if it is not that dirty. Otherwise, replace for a new one, but be sure you
have the right type of filter. Then, place the filter into its housing in the
position noted and you are ready to go.
Tires are key parts of a car’s exceptional performance. Inspecting tires regularly is a time and money-saving strategy. Checking and adding air is easy to do by yourself. Most people tend to skip the fifth tire, but forgetting about the spare one can become an auto-sabotage move.
To make them last longer, get your tires rotated
and balanced. This guarantees a comfortable and safe drive. Doing it every
6,000 to 8,000 miles prevents car accidents caused by losing control. Many factors like worn bars and incorrect
alignment can cause noise and vibration problems. By rotating your tires, you
extend their lives.
However, nothing lasts forever. An easy way to
know if it is time to replace tires is through the simple penny method.
Regardless if they come from a custom wheels manufacturer or not, your vehicle
needs a new set of custom wheels if after inserting a penny into the tire’s
groove you can see all of Lincoln’s head. Remember to put Lincoln’s head upside
down. Being able to see Lincoln means the tread depth is less than 2/32 inches
and it is a risky situation.
Headlights are easy to change. It takes about 15
minutes. Although it is very easy, it is more beneficial to find an online
video for better understanding. Hand’s oils and dirt particles weaken the bulb
surface, and it may crack after heating. Therefore, avoid touching it while
changing it.
Learn to identify the keyboard lights. They all
are important and let you know if there is an engine or electrical fault, brake
or ABS, and whether coolant or oil levels are low.
An engine’s first and more affordable line of
protection is a fuel filter replacement. This can be an advanced DIY process
and you need to be sure of what you are doing before even starting. Messing
with the fuel system pressure is a dangerous situation for both car and owner.
Going annually to a professional for this checkup might be clever if you are
not handy or do not feel prepared for this.
Keeping track of fuel economy will help you
recognize any decrease in efficiency on time. It is wise to stick to the one
octane recommended for your vehicle for preventing engine problems.
If the goal is to keep the car in better
condition, cleaning is a crucial step. Car washing and car-care products are
not a needless expense; they add cosmetic value to the vehicle. A professional
looking car wax finish and keeping your vehicle under a car cover protects the
car panels against the sun and environmental damage.
A clean car interior makes driving comfortable. Making quick trash cleaning each time you exit the car helps you to keep the dirt at bay. Vacuum and using protectant on leather, plastic, and rubber parts once every few weeks keeps the car fresh and dealership-like looking. Cleaning the exterior engine is not essential. However, minor debris and fluids – like brake fluid- can cause damage and hinder the early discovery of leaks and other problems.
Cooling system hoses carry the engine coolant.
Those and heater hoses are in constant high-pressure and wear and tear can
eventually have unwanted effects. Replacing those and the coolant reservoir on
time and tightening loose clamps prevents their fluids from leaking and further
overheating engine problems.
Worn out and buildup-covered spark plugs reduce
engine efficiency. Sparks plugs and its wires checkups allow detecting bad
conditions on time. Replacement for those is suggested for 30,000 miles or
more, but the owner’s manual displays the specific recommendation for your
vehicle.
Serpentine belts are small-priced items that can
cause huge reparation expenses. A serpentine belt fails can cause irreversible
damage to engine parts. They should be checked every 40,000 to 60,000 miles,
but as with previous parts, the owner’s manual has the best information about
your car. However, a car service center will tell you if the belt should be
replaced.
Keeping a clean windshield not only avoids the visual impairments and car accidents but also prevents windshield scratches caused by wipers dragging dirt and particles through the glass. This leads to the entire windshield change.
Since driving requires a clear view of the road,
wipers malfunction during the rainy season can cause accidents. Perform regular
cleaning and checkups to assure wipers’ proper function.
Checking your battery guarantees the supply of
electrical energy to your whole vehicle. From the cables and their connections
to the terminals and voltage, keeping the battery in optimum conditions
prevents you from being stuck in an awkward situation. Mineral build-up and
leakage cause malfunction. Cleaning those with a battery cleaning brush and
applying dielectric grease helps them stay free of corrosion.
You can test its voltage with a multimeter. A fully charged battery is about 12.4 to 12.7 volts with the engine off. It can reach 13.7 to 14.7 volts with the engine on. A low voltage can also come from the alternator. In this case, lights dim or intensify as the engine speeds up. Remember to turn your lights off at night to avoid draining your battery. It can look silly but it happens quite a bit.
Brakes fail to work properly due to several
causes. From rotors and pads malfunction to brake fluid leaks, checking your
brakes system on time can save you from terrible accidents for yourself and
others. Brake pads replacement should happen around every 20,000 miles, but if
you are a “stop-and-go” driver, it should be more often. If the brakes start
showing an out of the ordinary response, it is a good idea to check them.
For doing so, getting under the car and removing
the tires is necessary. If you are still mastering minor repairs, it is wise to
let a professional do this for you. The best way to keep your vehicle safe is
to recognize when to do it yourself and when to get outside help.
Since your driving skills affect your car conditions, driving smartly, and safely will prevent faster wear off and damage. It is wise to carry car tools like wire cutters, screwdrivers, and a flashlight to be better prepared for any eventuality.
Keeping your vehicle on top condition requires regular maintenance. Moreover, maintaining your car in shape has not only time and money-saving benefits but it also brings peace of mind and pride of ownership.
Nathan became a car enthusiast at the age of four, when his father taught him the difference between Chevy and Ford. In 2012 Nathan put his knowledge in practice and started reporting on cars, races and the auto industry on different social media platforms Currently, he’s a happy owner of a 1967 Alfa Romeo and a Lancer GSR and a person who still has lots of topics to cover.
1. Inspect Fluids Level: Oil and Coolant
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