If you’re a car owner, it’s important to take care of your vehicle. You want it to last as long as possible and have minimal repairs. This can be done by performing regular maintenance and doing some simple things. To extend the life of your car and save you money in the long run, you should follow these tips suggested by the car service in Perth.
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1. Check Under the Hood Once a Month
The most important thing to do when checking under the hood is to make sure all of the fluid levels are where they should be. This includes oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. If any of these isn’t right, it will affect how your car runs and could cause major damage in the long run.
Checking for leaks is also important; this can indicate that something needs fixing before it becomes a bigger problem down the road (like rust). Make sure all hoses appear to be in good condition as well any cracks or tears should be replaced immediately by a professional mechanic. Besides being an easy fix now, this will save you lots of money later on when those same hoses need replacing again because they leaked out all over your driveway. You’ll also want to check for loose parts that may seem insignificant but if left unattended could cause a lot more damage than just rattling around.
2. Change Your Oil and Filter Regularly
A car engine produces a lot of heat, which can cause the oil inside to break down and become acidic. Over time, this can create a buildup of sludge on the cylinder walls that will eventually damage your engine. Changing your oil regularly keeps these contaminants from building up in your engine and helps it run smoothly for miles to come.
If you have an automatic transmission or a turbocharged engine (which uses oil), change your filter every 5,000 miles; if not, change it once per year at the beginning of each new season (spring or fall). To ensure proper drainage during refilling, remove both the drain plug and filler cap before starting the process. It’s important that you never overfill; always replace lost fluid with fresh motor oil from a sealed container. After filling up with fresh motor oil and making sure there are no leaks replace all caps securely and wipe away any excess residue with paper towels before reattaching drain plugs and storing equipment away safely until the next use.
3. Learn How to Change a Tire
Changing a tire is easily one of the most important things you can learn how to do on the road, but it’s also something that many drivers are nervous about. After all, if you don’t know what you’re doing and end up hurting yourself or damaging your car in any way, it can be an expensive mistake. Changing a tire is actually quite simple. All you need is a spare tire and a jack. In fact, there are even ways to change your tires without relying on tools at all:
- If you buy winter tires and keep them in your trunk year-round then changing them out will be much easier than trying to rotate an all-season set of wheels that have been sitting there for months at a time.
- Changing snow tires with no air pressure in them before putting them back onto rims can also help when working outside during inclement conditions.
4. Tires Last Longer with Regular Rotations
If you don’t rotate your tires, they’ll wear unevenly and could wear out sooner than expected. Always rotate tires from front to back and side to side when you change the oil in your car. Rotating them helps ensure an even tread wear pattern, which keeps your car stable on the road and allows for better gas mileage.
5. Keep Your Car Clean Inside and Out
Keeping your car clean inside and out is one of the best ways to ensure that it lasts longer. This can be done by cleaning it often, especially the interior. Vacuuming is a great way to get rid of dust and dirt from the carpeting as well as from other places around your vehicle. Use damp cloths for wiping down surfaces such as dashboard covers and door panels, while using wet/dry vacuums for cleaning floors or carpets in vehicles that have them.
While you are doing all this cleaning, pay special attention to windows because they tend to get dirty easily with time. If you want to keep them clean forever (or at least until they need replacement), use glass cleaner regularly so they do not get foggy when it rains or there are lots of insects around.
6. Don’t Park in Harsh Weather
If you can, avoid parking your car in harsh weather conditions. If you must park your car in cold, wet weather, try to do so in a garage or covered area if possible. If you have to park outside and there is no garage available, try to park your car under cover from rain and snow. You can also help protect yourself from the elements by choosing an area that is sheltered from wind and sun as well. Finally, if possible park on an incline, this will allow water to drain away from the engine compartment of your vehicle as opposed to pooling around it.
7. Take It Easy on the Gas Pedal
If you want to extend the life of your car, don’t push the gas pedal to the floor. Instead, keep it around 70% or so. If you’re going too slow and not maintaining a consistent speed, then it will wear out your engine and make it work harder than necessary.
Also, refrain from racing other cars on the road, it can lead to dangerous driving habits as well as overuse of certain parts of your engine that could cause damage down the line. When turning corners or changing lanes (especially when doing so at high speeds), avoid putting pressure on that gas pedal.
8. Get Your Brakes Checked Once a Year
Brakes are the most important safety feature of your car. They’re also one of the most neglected, which leads to a lot of accidents. Brakes wear down over time and should be checked regularly by an expert mechanic. If you feel that your brakes aren’t working as well as they used to, or if you notice that they make a screeching sound when applied (which indicates that there’s metal rubbing metal), get them replaced immediately, they could fail at any moment.
Conclusion
When it comes to vehicle maintenance, you have to be proactive. You can’t expect a dealership or mechanic shop to take care of everything for you. If you don’t have time or money in your budget for regular maintenance, there are some things that you can do yourself to extend the life of your ride.
