Whether you are a car enthusiast or you couldn’t care less about which car you drive, in any case taking proper care of your car is crucial. A car isn’t a cheap commodity that you can simply replace if it breaks down. Just like eating a balanced diet and exercising will keep your health on track, timely and regular car maintenance will make sure your car runs smoothly.
You don’t have to be a hands-on mechanic to take care of your car. Here are some easy-to-follow auto maintenance tips to make your car last longer.
- Clean Your Car Inside Out
Cleaning your car doesn’t just improve its appearance but is also necessary to prevent permanent damage. If left unchecked, build up dirt, grit, bird droppings, and so on can do irreversible damage to the paintwork. Apart from the galvanized body, get a hose and clean the parts under the car. Keeping the paint job is a tip-top condition will also fetch you better resale value.
- Replace Air Filters
Cabin air filters purify the cabin air by trapping dust and other particles. You should regularly clean your air filters to ensure good air quality. This is also necessary because dirty air filters put extra load on your car’s HVAC system. Cabin air filters should be replaced yearly or a few times a year if you live in a dusty area. This is something you can easily do on your own.
- Get Fluids Checked and Changed
Get various fluids including engine oil, transmission fluids, radiator fluids, etc. routinely changed and checked. Engine oil is crucial to ensure your engine is running at its peak condition and not consuming more fuel than necessary. If you have the time, tools, and skills, you can attempt to change it on your own. Otherwise, it’s better to let a professional do it for you.
- Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving habits are not only dangerous but also impact your car in the long run. Rapidly accelerating, braking or speeding wastes a lot of gas, compromises drivetrain components, and wears down brake pads. Driving sensibly will save fuel costs and is safer for you and everyone else around you.
- Rotate & Align Tires
Rotating tires is required to ensure the tires wear evenly, which is necessary to have balanced handling. Similarly, aligning tires makes sure they meet the road at the correct angle. Also, get your tire pressure checked to make your tires last longer.
- Follow Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule
Every car comes with the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Rather than taking your car for servicing when you feel like, try sticking to this schedule to keep your car in its prime condition
- Buy Good Quality Spare Parts
When you have to replace air filters, brake parts, or any other auto parts, make sure you buy good quality parts from a trusted automotive parts warehouse. Poor quality spare parts may look an affordable option, but they can prove to be costly down the line.
- Don’t Overlook Problems
Whether your car is making a weird noise or it’s consuming way too much gas than it used to, get it immediately looked at. Overlooking a minor problem can cost you a lot in the future.
- Remove Extra Load
Is your trunk filled with random junk? All this extra load will make the tires, brakes, and other components wear out faster. Take out all the non-essential things from your car to lighten the weight.
Taking proactive measures to keep your car in the best condition will not only save you a lot of money in the long run but also eliminate the inconvenience of going to a mechanic.