Things You Should Know About Vehicle Maintenance
Basics Of Car Maintenance
As a car owner, you probably know that you should send your car for routine vehicle maintenance. But do you know how often you should do it or what kind of maintenance you should send your car for?
Just like every other machine, your vehicle should be sent for maintenance regularly to ensure that it will be in tip-top condition. This means having a smooth and safe drive, especially for long distances. For the majority of vehicles, maintenance should be done once five thousand miles have been completed. However, for some, sending your car for maintenance might be a throw off due to the high prices of maintenance. As such, we have some do it yourself (DIY) methods for you to do at home! Don’t neglect the inside of your car as well. Here are some online car mats to consider.
First things first, be familiar with the owner’s manual
Whenever you get a vehicle, it comes together with an owner’s manual. This long and boring looking book is actually very important as it is filled with all the information you need to understand your car. If you have misplaced it, you can simply ring up the deal for another copy. In the manual, you will find detailed information about the frequency of which the car should be sent for maintenance. This includes the engine oil, oil filter, belts, hoses and so on. There are also recommendations given in the manual, good to take note of those too.
Have your oil and oil filter changed on a schedule
Oil is essential for your engine as it acts as the lubricant to ensure that everything is able to run smoothly, without grinding against other parts too roughly to the point where it damages things. If the motor oil is not changed regularly, it can create damage to the engine as it will begin to collect contaminants that will generate friction as the parts begin to rub each other. When it comes to the type of oil to be used for best lubrication, our recommendation is that as long as the oil is able to meet the service and viscosity standards that are stated in the owner’s manual, it should be good to go. So it does not matter if you go with petroleum or synthetic.
Have belts and hoses well examined
This is an extra step that will help go a long way. The inspection of the hose and belts in the engine bay will help you to notice if there is any overheating within the engine. If your hose has separated or begins to show cracks, do replace them. As for belts, it is just as important to look in on them as well, especially when the belt begins to look like it has been worn out - this can be seen through cracks or material loss. If you see these signs, it is a very good idea to have them replaced immediately. In the event that the timing belt breaks while driving, the engine would suffer serious damage.
Have your tires checked monthly
The tires are being worked a lot every time you use the vehicle. It is practically holding the vehicle’s entire weight. They are also extremely important, as without them, there is no way you would be able to be on the road. As such, it is very important to ensure that your tires are properly and well inflated in order to work well. This also prevents it from blowing out. When it comes to adding air into your tire, you need to be able to inflate it to the proper tire pressure. This can be found on the placard found next to the driver’s door jamb or simply take a look at the owner’s manual. Even if you hardly use the car, your tires should still be well inflated. Lastly, remember to also check on your spare tire to make sure that everything is well prepared.
Have your air filters replaced
These air filters should be replaced at least once every year. The best would be twice. This is really dependent on how much you take your car out for a drive. It is good to change the air filters at the same time to change your oil to make things a little more convenient.
Feel your brakes for any issues
Brakes are extremely important when it comes to vehicles. One important thing is that you should be fully aware and well aware of your brake to be able to feel when something is not right. If you feel like your brakes seem a bit spongy or that it takes you a little more pressure in order to get the car to a halt, it would be time to send your vehicle to a professional to have a look. The sound of your brake can also be an indication of when you would need to have it repaired or fixed. Here are some sounds:
Grinding: this is an indication that something is not normal. This usually happens as rust begins to form on the brake motors, especially in a humid area. This sound that you hear is simply the rust being rubbed off. How to fix it would be to park your vehicle indoors when it is humid, raining or snowing.
Squealing: this is usually a sign that it is time for you to change the brake pads as the current ones have been fully worn out.
Intermittent sounds: if you hear the sound on the brake going on and off, this would probably mean that the brake is overheating. When this happens, not only will you hear the sound but the brakes will also feel as though they are not responding as well. You should not attempt to solve this problem on your own. Instead, you should bring your car to a professional for help.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these small and simple maintenance tips can simply be done in the comfort of your own garage. Not to mention, they are not that hard to do as well. All you would need to do is to take the time to read and understand your owner’s manual to have a full understanding of when and how to maintain your vehicle. If the problem you are facing continues to persist, do seek professional help.
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Published: 21-Mar-2022
Author: Jake Hughes
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