Maintenance tips to follow for your car to last longer

EVERYBODY desires a car that not only looks, but drives like it’s spanking, brand new, and fortunately, this has everything to do with how much time and energy you invest in the upkeep of your car. Auto mechanic and car enthusiast Roshane Holness said being consistent with your car maintenance not only guarantees that you’ll stave of common car problems, but it also prolongs the life of your automobile.

How do you keep your car in tip-top shape? Holness shares a comprehensive list of maintenance tips that you should adhere to.

Keep your car maintenance schedule

Your owner’s manual provides a recommended schedule for maintenance. Follow it. You’ll prevent expensive surprises from mechanical failures. Also, the resale value of your vehicle will be greater if you have complete maintenance records.

Take care of your engine

You should service your car engine every 3000km or every three months.

Clean your car regularly

Clean both the interior and exterior of your car regularly. Use the appropriate products to get rid of minor debris, invest in a small hand-held car vacuum, and clean messes immediately. Pay special attention to the windshield. If you don’t clean it then dust and dirt may accumulate which can cause the quality of the glass to deteriorate.

Check your battery

Battery problems is one of the most common auto issues. To avoid this you should check for leakage or any mineral build-up around it regularly. If there is any build-up then clean it with a battery cleaning brush. You also want to make sure that you pay close attention to the battery light on your car. If it comes up, don’t ignore it because chances are you will continue to until the battery gives out.

Check fluid levels

Modern cars use a variety of fluids such as engine and brake oils, coolant, and brake and transmission fluids. For the best care of your car you should do periodic checks of fluid levels to ensure that your vehicle performs optimally. If, for example, the engine oil is too low, then this can cause friction which generates heat and leads to the underperformance of the engine. Also, changing your brake fluid often not only ensures that you keep sharp brakes, but using a quality fluid will also increase the life of your brake system. Make sure that you check engine oil and coolant levels each time before going on your journey.

Get to know the oil grade appropriate for your vehicle

Always find out the correct oil grade for your specific engine. It is important to use oil that’s the right thickness, or viscosity, for your car’s engine. If the oil is too thick or thin then it will not deliver the necessary protection your engine requires and this can result in significant damage.

It can be quite tempting to go for cheaper products because they do the same thing, right? WRONG! Quality products are made from better raw material and offer the engine more protection than some synthetic products. For example, they protect the engine better at high and low temperatures, keep the engine cleaner, and offer greater protection against wear.

Clean your air filter

A dirty air filter can reduce miles per gallon, hurt engine performance, and contribute to higher engine emissions. A clean air fuel is important because the optimum operation of your vehicle depends on an excellent mixture of air and fuel. While you are at it, also clean/change cabin air filters to ensure that the air coming into the car is clean and free of dust. It will also make your car smell better and is healthier for occupants.

Keep your car covered or out of direct sunlight

Direct sunlight can do a number of both the interior and exterior of the car. Limiting direct sunlight will cause the paint on your car to last longer, and in the case of the dashboard, prevent splitting or cracking under intense heat. Other things can happen such as the leather ageing more quickly, and other seat covering to fade. These can be quite unsightly and make your car look much older than it is.

•After long journeys, let your car throttle for a short period before switching off

•Maintain your transmission — change automatic transmission fluid and filter after the first 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and after every 25,000 miles (40,000 km) or two years thereafter. Change fluids according to your owner’s manual.

•Replace worn parts immediately after discovering them.

•In the morning let your vehicle warm up before moving.

•Don’t think that the best care for your car is making it sit in the garage. Drive it for at least an hour each month.

•Check tyre pressure and rotate the tyres so that you get full use of tyres without overusing or threading tyres.

•Take care when driving to avoid quick wear and tear.