There is nothing more frustrating than to encounter car trouble or have your car break down in some remote area, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can avoid these types of incidents if you have your vehicle inspected on a regular basis. When you purchase a new or used car, you have made a costly investment that requires a maintenance schedule to protect your asset and avoid expensive repairs and breakdowns. Regular car maintenance is not only essential to getting the best performance from your car, but it’s also very important to increase its life span. Maintaining your car can range from basic car inspection and maintenance to a complete overhaul.
To keep your car running at peak efficiency and extend the life of your car, there are several car maintenance measures that you should routinely undertake. Therefore, refer to your owners manual and take your car to an auto service facility at the suggested intervals to have it checked out by a certified mechanic.
Oil and Filter Change:
Having your oil and filter changed is one of the most common maintenance requirements for the performance of your vehicle. A regularly scheduled oil change is quite possibly one of the most importance maintenance jobs because it is invaluable to the life of your engine. While lubricating the engine with oil is very important to reduce wear and friction, it carries heat away from other critical areas and helps to make the engine parts run cooler. A regular oil change also helps to combat rust and corrosion and reduces engine noise. When combined with the oil filter, it removes impurities and contaminants from the engine. Changing your oil and filter at each service check is recommended by most auto manufacturers because it has been proven that this maintenance service is key to a long and trouble-free engine life.
Tire Check:
The entire weight of your car is being carried by your tires, thereby playing a vital role in its overall performance. By having regular tire checks, your service facility can look for faulty issues like under-inflated tires which can make your car unsafe while stopping. Underinflated tires also change the shape of the tires because they are flatter to the ground, causing the shoulders of the tire to wear prematurely. Overinflated tires are equally a problem, leaving the tires rigid and stiff with less tire to connect to the road. This leads to, not only a harder ride, but uneven tire wear. By maintaining optimum air pressure, your car is safer, driving performance is improved, plus tire life and reduced fuel cost.
Your tire maintenance should includes tire rotation. Tires wear differently on the front because of the scraping they receive as they turn to steer your car. To get the most out of your tires they should be rotated as recommended in your owner¹s manual. This will help make the tires wear more evenly, resulting in increased safety and consistency.
Brakes:
The importance of brakes for ensuring your safety cannot be understated since the brakes are the most critical component of your car. Today’s cars have many improved features regarding brakes, but they should still undergo regular maintenance checks to avoid failure and more costly repairs down the road. If you notice any operational issues, you should always seek help as soon as possible.
Service maintenance for brakes should occur at least once a year to inspect the condition of the hydraulic system and operating hardware. The friction materials such as pads, shoes, rotors and drum require constant monitoring because they are used and wear down every time you apply your brakes.
Other Services:
Here are some other maintenance services that require your attention for a well performing vehicle:
- Check your coolant levels and keep it filled to the correct level to prevent wear on your engine
- Check your wiper blades and replace if worn (don’t forget to top up the washer fluid)
- Check your battery, most car batteries last 3-5 years
- Check your hoses and belts on a regular basis for cracks or leaks
- Check and replace old spark plugs