When you have a car, you want it to last as long as possible and cost little regarding repairs and replacement parts. So, it’s important to know how to look after it properly.
Whatever kind of car you have, there are a few key things you can do to increase its lifetime. I had the pleasure of talking to Darren from bigmotoringworld.co.uk who gave me the following tips.
Also Darren said, “Once you get into the habit of performing these key actions for your car, you will start to benefit from the lack of repair bills and the better performance of your car overall.” So, if you want to save money and support your car, read these tips.
Check and Change your Oil
You need to make sure you regularly check your oil as part of your vehicle’s routine maintenance. Also, check the manufacturer’s handbook to see how frequently you should be booking your car for an oil change as well.
Change your Air Filters
A clogged air filter will have a negative impact on your car’s fuel efficiency so make sure you change it regularly, according to the manufacturer. You can also check for blockages whenever you service your car, so you’re aware of any potential problems.
Check your Coolant Levels
You need to keep your coolant levels topped up so your engine isn’t at risk of overheating in the summer or freezing in the winter. If your car reaches high temperatures, you should check your coolant levels and make sure there are no leaks.
Always check the coolant levels when the car is cold – never try to open the cap when the car is still warm as you could burn yourself.
Change your Brake Fluid
Brake fluid can get hot, which can cause bubbles in the fluid leading to brake failure. Check your brake fluid regularly and in addition to when servicing the car.
This is the best way to detect water absorption which can cause problems.
Check your Brakes
There are many aspects to car brakes to include the linings, disks and other elements, which can all wear down and become damaged. So, it’s important to check your brakes regularly to make sure there are no issues.
This may be hard to check by yourself, so it’s best to book the car into a professional garage. Make sure the brakes have all been thoroughly examined and tested, and any damaged parts are suitably replaced.
Replace the Cambelt
A cambelt failure can cause catastrophic damage to the engine. Hence, for early detection of wear and tear, periodic checks are necessary.
If a cambelt should break then the car must be stopped immediately to try to minimize any damage to the vehicle.
Battery Maintenance
If you have a battery which is more than five years old you are better off replacing it as older batteries can cause problems. Also, it’s likely to fail when you start your car.
If you only do short drives the battery might not fully charge. In this case, you can buy a battery charger.
It will help keep the battery topped up. Regular servicing of your car should also show up any potential battery problems before they occur.
A good mechanic should be able to advise if it’s time to invest in a new battery for your vehicle.
Power Steering Fluid Top-Up
For a car with power steering it’s a great idea to check that the power steering fluid is at the right level and if need be, top up the reservoir. You need to check your car’s handbook to find out how to do it properly and to make sure you use the right type of fluid for your particular car.
Again, if you are not comfortable doing this yourself then make sure this is part of the checks when you take your car in for a regular service. If your steering becomes more difficult, take the car in straight away to get it checked out – don’t keep driving as you might damage your car.
If you want to extend the life of your family car, then make sure you carry out regular maintenance checks before you go on long drives. Also, if you are not confident about carrying out tasks like fluid changes yourself, then make sure you keep your car regularly serviced.
A full yearly service can be complemented by summer, and winter-ready smaller services which will check your car is all ready for the changes in the seasons, keeping it in tip-top condition.
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