Essential Tips for Regular Car Maintenance and Service

Do you own a car but find maintaining it difficult? Car maintenance isn't about preserving its exterior shine; it's about ensuring that the components and systems function as they should and your car remains reliable, safe, and efficient throughout the ownership period. Hence, to keep up with this task, we brought you some essential car service and maintenance tips.

Essential Tips for Car Maintenance

You can keep your car in its best possible condition if you are more vigilant, as there are many systems in modern cars. Understanding your car will help you save money and have a stress-free car ownership experience. Let's dive in.

Engine Oil Level

To check the engine oil of a vehicle, you can simply open the bonnet and pull out the engine oil dipstick. Wipe the oil at the bottom of the dipstick with a clean cloth, and then dip it again and pull it out, but do not turn the dipstick upside down. The minimum and maximum levels are marked on the dipstick.

The oil stain on the end of the dipstick will indicate the level of engine oil in the car. If the level is low, or if the oil is discoloured to black, you should take your car to a professional car workshop to top up the oil or complete oil replacement.

Tyre Care

Poorly inflated tyres reduce fuel efficiency and tyre life, while overinflated tyres decrease grip and increase the risk of a tyre burst. Ensure to get your tyre pressure checked every month and before long trips. Get wheel alignment and tyre rotation done every 10,000 km, which helps ensure even wear and longer tyre life.

Battery Cleaning

Your car's battery helps you start the engine; thus, maintaining the battery in proper shape is your priority. Check for corrosion on battery terminals and clean them or get them cleaned by a professional. If the battery check light continues to light on the dashboard, you should replace the battery.

Brakes Care

Brake inspection is important for safety; therefore, checking the braking performance and brake fluid level is imperative for a healthy vehicle. If you find any unusual noises like squeaking or grinding, it would be the best time to get the brakes repaired by an expert car mechanic near you.

Check For Dashboard Warning Lights

Modern cars have many warning lights in the cockpit. These warning lights light up whenever there is a fault in the car, whether it is a sensor or a malfunctioning component. If you see any warning light in the cockpit, immediately visit your nearest car garage or request a callback.

Follow Car's Service Schedule

Your car's manufacturer provides a service schedule in the owner's manual, which you should adhere to ensure your car gets the care it needs at the proper intervals. Regular car service and maintenance will keep your vehicle running smoothly, ensuring safety and reliability for years.

Check All Belts and Hoses

Your car's alternator, AC compressor and radiator water pump are connected to the engine via belts. These belts should be in great shape, as worn belts can leave you stranded. Check for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, fraying and squeaking noise. If there are any leaks, immediately visit a car workshop.

Essential Fluid Checks

Fluids such as brake fluid, radiator coolant, windshield washer fluid, clutch fluid, etc., need to be checked for optimum performance. Keeping these fluids at low levels can lead to significant damage, expensive repairs and a compromise on safety.

Keeping Your Car Clean

Your cars regularly get exposed to the natural elements, which can harm the paint over time. A professional car wash and spa is needed every couple of months to protect the paint. It will bring that lost shine to the exterior of your vehicle and induce freshness inside the cabin.

Conclusion

Car maintenance and checkups are crucial for identifying problems before they become grave. However, it is best to go for a complete car inspection in about six months at a professional car workshop. Car inspections can identify potential issues early, and experienced mechanics can perform tasks with specialised tools, such as checking the suspension system or performing an engine diagnostic.