A Sports Car. Car on the road.
A car is a good investment and an expensive one too. Owning a vehicle has undoubtedly become an integral part of modern society. A car makes it really easy to move from one place to another, carry groceries, transport people, and whatnot.
In today’s day and age, owning a car is no big deal; almost everyone owns a car these days, whether it’s big or small. However, most car owners, especially young people, do not focus on maintaining their car. According to a study of 2000 young drivers that was conducted by Continental Tyres, half of the drivers aged 18 – 24 don’t know how to check the tire pressure or oil levels of their cars. The regular maintenance of your car is crucial to prolonging its life. In this blog post, we have compiled some car maintenance tips and tricks to ensure your car lasts longer.
1. Drive Smoothly
Smooth driving has a lot of benefits. First and foremost, it puts less strain on your vehicle and keeps it in good shape. All of this also minimizes how much damage your car takes while you’re driving it. Driving aggressively means putting a lot of pressure on the acceleration and braking points, and this is not good for your car’s overall condition.
High G-forces also result in more wear and tear on the suspension of the car. Driving fast over a speed breaker or taking sharp turns puts a lot of pressure on the tires and weakens the suspension. However, driving smoothly at a proper speed will keep the vehicle’s components in top condition and is more fuel-efficient.
2. Use Air Conditioning
The air conditioner is an essential car feature, but not every car owner uses it on a regular basis. Keeping your air conditioner off can cause refrigerant gas to leak over time. It might be a way to save fuel, but it may cost you in terms of getting the gas refilled.
Ideally, when you’re driving at a speed around 50 miles per hour or above, it’s best to switch on the air conditioner. However, if you’re just driving around town at a speed slower than 50 mph, turn off the air conditioner and roll the windows down. This way, you can save a lot of fuel and money.
3. Make Sure You Don’t Carry Unnecessary Load in Your Car
If the trunk or cargo area of your car is overstuffed with junk, it is about time to do away with it. Carrying around more than your fair share of stuff does you no favors.
At the end of the day, it’s your car that will suffer the most from all that extra weight. The unnecessary load will also put a lot of stress on your car’s crucial components, including the engine and suspension.
4. Wash Your Car Every Two Weeks
Most experts recommend washing your car every 14 days or so. However, this frequency can be increased or decreased, depending on various factors. For example, if you live in a part of the country that receives a lot of snow or rainfall, then, of course, you will need to clean your car more frequently.
When washing your car, make sure to use the right cleaning materials – a sponge, hose, brush, wash mitts, towel, and detergent. Always start by washing the wheels first and then move toward scrubbing your car with a mitt or sponge. Make sure not to use a bristle brush to clean your car as it may leave scratches on its surface.
Be cautious about the kind of car-cleaning products you use. Poor-quality cleaning supplies can ruin the paint and the overall appearance of your car.
5. Warm Up Your Car in Winters
Automobile experts recommend warming up your car for at least 30 seconds before driving off in the winter season. This ensures that the engine consumes less fuel and that it runs more efficiently in the cold. However, if you start your car on a cold, idle engine, you will waste more fuel and increase the chances of a carbon build-up. The likelihood of your car overheating will also skyrocket, which will be quite a costly endeavor for you – somewhere in the region of $111!
6. Check and Top up Your Car Fluids Regularly
Checking and topping up the necessary fluids is a crucial step that you have to take when maintaining your car. Here is a quick and easy way to check the oil in your car and top up the fluid if necessary:
- First, make sure the car is stationary and turned off.
- Remove the oil dipstick and wipe it off with a clean cloth.
- Now insert it for a second and remove it for clean reading.
- Check the level of the fluid. If the oil is below the expected level, fill up the oil tank.
There are a total of 6 to 7 types of fluid in your car, depending on its type and model. The seven fluids that you should maintain are the engine oil, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, air conditioning coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid.
7. Look after Your Car’s Battery
If you don’t use your car for an extended period of time, your car’s battery will degrade. Jump-starting the car will put additional stress on its delicate components and may damage them in time.
To keep your car’s battery in optimum condition, try using a battery-maintainer – also called a trickle charger. You should also drive your car at least once a week, especially in winter!
8. Consider Rust Protection and Proofing Services
Most modern cars are rust-resistant. However, car models that came out in the early 20th century are likely to suffer from metal corrosion. Therefore, you should inspect your car for rust every now and then.
If you come across rust spots anywhere in your car, you should immediately head to a local mechanic. You can also rust-proof your car by going for DIY rust-proofing methods. Consider applying a tar-based spray, dripless oil spray, or drip oil spray on the rust-ridden spots of your car.
9. Park in the Shade
Ideally, you should always park your car in a garage. However, if one isn’t available, try to park your car in the shade. This will protect the inside and outside of your car from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
As a result, you will get a cooler car to step into during the scorching summer heat.
10. Keep Your Car Covered
Not every car owner is lucky enough to accommodate a spacious garage in their house. If that’s your case, don’t worry. You can still protect your car by keeping it covered. This will allow your car to stay dry and clean.
Your car may be worth thousands of dollars. When you own such a valuable and expensive asset, it’s your duty to look after it in the best possible way. If you follow the tips mentioned in this post, you’re like to keep your car running in optimum condition for a very long time.
