Here Are The Top 7 Car Servicing And Maintenance Key Points Every Car Owner Must Know!
Do you own a car? Then you must expect it to run perfectly without having a breakdown now and then. Essentially, a car is like any other machine, it needs proper maintenance and care to ensure that it is functioning properly. Different cars have different life expectancies. Usually, a new car of ‘recent make’ has a general expectancy of 8 years or 150000 miles. This same car can give you service for 15 years or 3000000 miles if properly maintained. Therefore, taking good care of your car can make a significant difference in later expenditure. Let us introduce you to a Car Servicing And Maintenance Checklist to properly maintain your car.
Some Common Mistakes
The Australian death count of humans due to car accidents stands at a little over 5 per 100,000 people, which is about 33.3% of the global death due to vehicular accidents, standing at 18.2 per 100000 people. And one of the most common causes of accidents is the ill-maintenance and negligent care of the vehicle. Some practices that we unknowingly perform often lead to the gradual worsening of internal conditions. Here are some of the general ill practices that require the attention of auto repair services soon:
1. Braking While Going Down An Inclined Plane
Going down a hill might be a fun thing, but when you are trying to stop a car in that place, braking all the way might not be a good choice. Brake pads wear quicker when they heat up, and the ride down the inclined plane with them on is an assured way of doing just that. It is safer to apply the brakes intermittently so that less pressure falls on the brakes and the rides remain safer.
2. Pressure Washer Use On The Engine
Pressure washers use high-power water jets to pluck out grime from the concrete driveways. However, the same can spell disaster for a car engine. An engine block is a collection of small components, wires, and sensors. A high-powered water jet can flick out hoses, connectors, and rubber seals which can damage the engine. A somewhat clean rag and degreaser fluid can be the most effective.
3. Forgetting To Replace The Oil
Every car has a specific date after which changing the oil becomes necessary. Failing that, the engine starts to experience wear and tear and overheating. Changing the engine lubricant at the stipulated time is a must-do thing with the oil filter.
4. Overlooking The Parking Brake
The parking brake should be used whether the car is standing on a steep hill or on flat ground. The reason, apart from the obvious safety concerns is it relieves the stress on the transmission. This simple habit of using the parking brake can extend your car’s life substantially.
Apart from the above mentioned factors, shifting from reverse to drive before coming to a full stop, putting stress on your engine before starting by not switching off the wipers, radio, air conditioning, and accessories, and continuous usage of the car even after it’s overheating, are some of the additional aspects. Usually, taking care of these problems at the first sign of trouble cost much less than later.
The Car Maintenance Checklist
Taking care of your car doesn’t take much, and you do not need to have an automobile degree to perform these operations. As said earlier, maintaining a car can reduce later car repair costs and also help in getting top prices at the time of reselling. Some of the practices one can adopt to properly maintain their car can be given:
1. Checking Oil And Coolant Levels
It is better to inspect the oil and coolant level of the car, especially before a long road trip or after a few months. Low levels of each can cause serious problems later if neglected. The position of these two can be known from the user manual of the car.
2. Cleaning And Changing The Air Filter
This important part of your car engine not only keeps out the debris and particulates but also allows the flow of clean air. Ensuring the proper flow of air in the engine will improve fuel efficiency, decrease emissions, and increase engine performance. Moreover, it has easily done at the home. So, it would be a good decision to read the user manual for this purpose.
3. Maintaining Tire Pressure And Tread Depth
Tires carry the weight of the car, and their main point is the air pressure. Having the perfect pressure in the tires can result in a smooth, fuel-efficient journey. So, tire pressure must check before long trips; every month, or when carrying an extra load. The spare tire must also be taken into consideration. Notably, tire pressure drops in the winter month, so before going on a trip, it is better to consult the user manual.
4. Lights And Signals
These components are easily forgotten in the checklist, but their importance remains nonetheless. Checking the lights and signals periodically is necessary, along with the brake lights. A visual inspection will suffice for the headlights; essentially checking them for position and intensity will be fine.
5. Fluid Checks
Different fluids inside the car, like transmission fluids, transfer case fluid, and coolant fluid; all of these help in the smooth functioning of the engine. Checking the status of these fluids will be beneficial in the long run.
6. Shock And Struts
This essential part of the steering system also helps in reducing the bump the vehicle experiences. This should be checked every 50000 miles or if a loss of control or decrease in the smoothness of the operation is felt.
7. Alternating The Spark Plugs
Spark plugs generate power from the gas and air mixture inside the engine. If there is a faulty spark plug in the car, it will lose power and stop running at optimal capacity. These components should also be checked by a professional.
Enlisting Professional Help
Completing these simple checks and avoiding the common mistakes from the given car servicing and maintenance checklist can extend the life of the car significantly. Some parts of the car need regular checking, while others can inspect only in the long run. It is better to inspect these at a certified auto repair shop in Perth, as they will have the right tools, as well as technologies to solve every critical vehicle issue.
