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Keeping Your Car in Good Shape: Impactful Maintenance Tips

Tips to Maintain Your Car

By Lynda ArbonPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Keeping Your Car in Good Shape: Impactful Maintenance Tips
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Your car is an expensive investment. And it has a special place in your life. So, you need to carry out maintenance at regular intervals.

Without proper maintenance, your car will not function properly, and its longevity will decline.

But many car owners do not take car maintenance seriously. And if you are one of them, acquaint yourself with the following tips:

Check the Tyres

Tyres remain hidden under your car's body. So, you might often tend to overlook them. But, it is a mistake you should avoid.

If the tyres become flat or bald, you have to replace them as you cannot drive your car with the tyres in such conditions.

Do not fail to check the pressure of your tyres frequently. If you find the pressure coming down, get the tyres inflated at a service station.

A benefit of keeping your tyres inflated can help to reduce wear and tear. And that means you do not have to replace them before you need to, allowing you to save money.

Another thing to keep a note of is the tread depth of your tyres, as tyres with a good grip will keep you safe on slippery roads.

But, assessing your car's tyres can be a tricky affair. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask a tyre inspector to check the tyres.

Keep the Battery Terminals Clean

Batteries get drained out due to usage. They last for a few years, and you need to maintain them. You also need to clean the car's battery terminals.

It will help if you look at a few YouTube videos. First, you need to disconnect the leads. You can start with the negative terminal and clean thoroughly using a battery cleaner brush or abrasive material. Once you finish cleaning, reconnect the terminals back, starting from the positive side.

Maintain the Car Oil and Water Levels

The engine oil reduces the friction and heat between your car's engine internal parts. As such, the oil allows the smooth functioning of the car.

But the oil often gets contaminated, and the lubricants can wear out. And that is why you need to change the oil periodically.

You can figure out whether the oil needs a change by checking the oil dipstick in your engine bay. In addition, you can check your car's manual to know how to spot it for your car.

Also, water helps keep the engine cool. Check the water level in your car. If it goes lower, top up the water.

Situations Necessitating Professional Services

After all, your car is also a machine. It can break down or develop significant defects. In such cases, you need to seek a mechanic near you to fix the problems as it is beyond your capability to solve such problems.

While periodic maintenance helps keep your car in good running condition, professional help enables you to do away with the significant problems.

Usually, the following situations necessitate seeking professional help:

Unusual Smoke

If you see a thick cloud of smoke emanating from your car's engine, call up a professional technician to correct the underlying problem.

It can be due to overheating of the engine or any oils leaking into the heated engine. Avoid solving the problem by yourself because you might not know the technical nitty-gritty aspects of a car.

A professional technician can examine the root cause and set in motion an effective solution. Besides, a professional can also fix other related problems due to the technical expertise and long-term experience.

Liquid Under Your Car

If you see a puddle of liquid under your car, you can regard that as a sign of leakage. If you look at the colour of the liquid, you can figure out the type of oil that has leaked. If the colour is brown or black, it could be brake oil, engine oil, or gear oil. And, a green liquid can leak from the radiator.

So, you need to call up a professional technician to fix the problem.

Car Failing to Start

When you get in your car and start it but find it not starting, it can be due to multiple reasons, such as a drained out battery or engine issues. So, call up a trained mechanic to diagnose and fix the problem.

The Final Say

Your car is an expensive possession. So, you need to keep it in good condition by periodically maintaining and servicing it. If you notice any technical problems in your car, call up a professional mechanic to fix them.

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About the Creator

Lynda Arbon

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