9 things even the average car owner should check!
Car maintenance can be a time consuming and costly exercise but if you stay on top of everything, it doesn’t need to be! We’ve rounded up 9 of the most important aspects of car maintenance to help you stay safe and save money in the long run.
Tyres, when you remember that the only point of contact your car has with the road is its tyres then you’ll understand why checking them regularly is top priority! After all, no amount of advanced technological assistance can help if you defective tyres! To check your tyres always make sure you look through your owners manual for the correct pressures. Once you’re done there, don’t forget your visuals! You should inspect the tread pattern for depth, uneven wear and make sure the side tyre walls aren’t damaged or torn from curbing.
Engine Oil, because the purpose of oil is to lubricate the moving parts of the engine, to clean the surface and to keep the engine cool a simple check of oil level every 2 to 4 weeks will help prolong your engines life! If the levels are low then top up! But make sure you don’t overfill the engine cause that can cause it to blow up! Simply check the markers on the dipstick and you’ll be golden!
Brakes, it might sound obvious but if you don’t keep an eye on your brakes, stopping can become an issue, and that ladies and gentlemen is officially a BAD THING! Brake pads are usually the first to go so check them every couple of months and take a look at the disks while you’re there! If the disks have a noticeable lip on the outside then you should think about getting new pads and new disks pretty soon. Also if you can hear a screeching sound when you break then you need to get yourself a new set of brakes asap!
Lights! Seeing where you’re going and being seen at night is pretty damn important! But there is more to it than that! Other road users need to be able to know what you are doing! The second you have a headlight goes out, you should replace it! The same goes for your indicators, and brake lights!
At number five we have coolant! With all those moving parts under the bonnet, engines generate a lot of heat when in use, thats why its vital to make sure that your radiator coolant is always topped up! The coolant is pumped up to the engine block and absorbs the heat, carrying it to the radiator where it is cooled before beginning the process again. If you let your levels drop then the engines heat has no way of escaping and therein lies the problem! So check your levels regularly and always use suitable coolant.
Windscreen washer fluid, this is one of the things you don’t take seriously until you find yourself with dirt or mud splattered across your windscreen with no way of getting it off. So always make sure your washer level is topped up!
At number seven we have batteries! A car battery is what helps the vehicle start up and continue running. The electrical energy necessary to make the car work is stored in the battery. Most batteries will continue working well for 5 to 7 years. Keeping your car on a regular maintenance and testing schedule with your mechanic will ensure your battery works properly, and there are things you can do yourself to help. Maintain car batteries by checking them and cleaning them on a regular basis, and charging them when necessary.
To maintain the bodywork of your car, you must perform a multitude of routine tasks, such as washing and waxing your car to prevent rusting and repairing marks and scratches that mar your car's surface. Depending on where you live, certain elements, such as salt from the ocean can cause the body of your car to rust at a faster rate. By performing tasks such as these, you can continue to keep the bodywork of your car in optimal condition for years to come. Also look into an "acrylic paint conditioner".
Since many parts make up the suspension, you should leave the mechanical work to a professional; however, you can keep an eye out for problems that might indicate that it needs work. If you see any signs that the suspension is not working correctly, make sure to bring it in to your mechanic as soon as possible.
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With all these basic checks in place remember to drive safe!