Most vehicles are designed with a lifetime warranty, but there’s no reason to take that for granted. Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs and retain a car’s value when selling or trading it to cash for car companies.
Some routine car care tasks can be done at home, while others may require a trained technician or mechanic. For instance, a mechanic can help diagnose the problem if your check engine light comes on. They will identify the issues through the car’s onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) with a scan tool – something the average person doesn’t have at home.
Here, we will discuss how to maintain your car and keep it running smoothly.
Essential Tips for Regular Car Maintenance to Prevent Costly Repairs
The average car owner runs between 10,000 and 15,000 miles per year. If you do a regular maintenance check at home, you can avoid an expensive repair or buy-out. If a mechanic determines that any work is needed, it can be scheduled for later when you have time to take care of it yourself.
It is essential to maintain your vehicle regularly; otherwise, it may need more maintenance. The following are some of the most common car maintenance tasks that can be done at home:
Understand Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Needs
Understanding your vehicle’s maintenance needs is a crucial step. It is towards taking charge of your own car maintenance. It includes comprehending what tasks are necessary and how frequently they should be carried out. This is because it ensures optimal performance and longevity.
A qualified mechanic can be your guiding light in this endeavour. Their expertise can illuminate the service intervals that your vehicle manufacturer recommends. These intervals are often outlined in the owner’s manual. They provide a roadmap for oil changes, brake inspections, fluid flushes, and more.
Keep up with Oil Changes
Oil is the lifeline for your engine and should be changed every 3,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. An oil change includes changing the oil filter and checking the oil level in your engine. If you need more clarification about doing this, contact a mechanic who offers oil changes as part of their service menu.
Car maintenance is essential to keep your car running smoothly and ensure it lasts as long as possible. It also helps prevent expensive repairs, which can be extremely expensive if you need to become more familiar with performing them yourself.
Cars use oil for lubrication and protection against rust and corrosion from road salt and other contaminants. The recommended amount of oil for your vehicle depends on its size, type of engine, and age. However, it falls between 20-30 litres per year or 3-4 quarts per month (depending on how many miles you drive).
Oil changes are essential because they help prevent costly engine problems such as engine wear or piston slap. A trained mechanic can change the oil correctly – something most people don’t know how to do correctly.
Checking your Tire Pressure
Checking your tire pressure is a crucial aspect of vehicle maintenance. This is because it directly impacts your safety and your car’s performance. Properly inflated tires ensure optimal handling, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity.
Underinflated or overinflated tires can lead to a range of issues, from reduced traction. Additionally, it can cause increased braking distances, uneven tire wear, and potential blowouts.
To ensure your tires are at the correct pressure level, consult your vehicle’s manual or the label inside the driver’s door jamb. Remember that tire pressure can be different based on weather, road conditions, and the number of passengers or cargo in your vehicle.
Tire Rotation
Tire rotations are necessary because they help maintain even tire tread wear and extend the lifespan of your tires. During everyday driving, the weight of a vehicle isn’t evenly distributed among all four tires.
This uneven distribution and factors like alignment and driving habits can cause tires to wear unevenly. Front tires wear more on the edges, while rear tires wear more evenly across the tread.
Regularly rotating your tires ensures that each tire takes its turn in different positions on the vehicle. It also means you can replace all four tires at once, saving you from buying a pair of tires more frequently than necessary.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you want to keep your vehicles in shape, follow the above tips. A vehicle always needs continuous repairs and maintenance. Though there are many ways to keep your car in the right shape, if you maintain your vehicle from the day you bought it will be beneficial.