A manufacturer’s warranty is important for your vehicle, but it is not enough. Your car is prone to mechanical breakdowns, dents and it is at the risk of getting stolen. All these misfortunes might cost you a lot of money. Therefore, you need to take extra care for your vehicle because not all claims can be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Here are tips on how you can protect your automobile investment.
- Keep the Engine Lubed
The engine is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. It is also the most costly part to repair and maintain. Therefore, you need to maintain your engine well to keep running properly and serve you for long. You need to constantly change the oils and the filters. Experts recommend that you should change the oil after every six months under ordinary use or after every 7500 miles covered. This will keep the engine from building up sludge and keep it clean and problem-free.
- Check the Tires
To have your tires serve you for long, you need to have them balanced and rotated on a regular basis. It is recommended that you do this after every 7500 miles. This will ensure that they wear out evenly and serve you for a long time. Wheel balancing helps reduce the vibrations, reduce strain and stress on the shocks. Always keep the tire pressure on the check. It helps to save the fuel and extend the life of the tires.
- Replace the Wiper Blades
It is important that you replace the wiper blades of your car every year. They are the least expensive parts of your vehicle, but they are also important. Most people underestimate their importance, but they are very useful, especially during the rains, in the snow or in dusty places.
- Install Bed Liners
Bed liners are made for protecting the inner side of your truck. They also help to shield the truck from damage and offers slide-free surface to keep the cargo in place. There are different types of bed liners. The plastic ones are the best for your pick-up truck. With the proper bed liner, you can be sure to transport anything on your truck without causing any damage to your vehicle. An unprotected truck is vulnerable to scratches, dents, and rusts which leads to the destruction of your vehicle. Get your truck a bed liner and keep it new and serve you for a long time. Additionally, bed liners make the cleaning of your truck quick and easy.
- Replace the Timing Belt
A timing belt is the most essential part of your engine for the vehicles that have it. Experts advise you to replace it after every 60,000 miles. If the timing belt breaks while still operational, it may have a negative impact on your whole engine. This might cost you a lot of money. In addition, have all the engine drive belts checked regularly as you change the oil. If the belts are overly glazed, frayed or cracked, they need a replacement.
- Check the Battery Regularly
Nowadays car batteries are low maintenance component of your vehicle. However, they need constant cleaning. Also, constantly check to see if your battery has developed any cracks or are leaking. Make sure the battery is properly mounted.
- Keep your Vehicle Cool
Vehicles today tend to run hot as compared to older car models. Keep the cooling system of your vehicle in good condition by regularly replacing the coolant. Coolants keep the corrosion inhibitors fresh and also it reduces the corrosion that builds up in the cooling system.
- Check the Fluids
- Brake Fluid – This is the most important fluid for your vehicle. It is not petroleum based, therefore it will lose its effectiveness and usefulness really quickly. This lowers its braking performance, thus the need for a regular replacement. Failure to replace this fluid for a long time leads to sludge build up which leads to valve blockage in the antilock braking system (ABS). This leads to costly replacements and maintenance. Also, the sludge may cause leakage to the wheel cylinders and calipers which also leads to expensive repairs and replacements.
- Transmission Fluid – According to experts, you are required to replace the transmission fluid after every 100,000 miles. But they need to be regularly checked. Most transmission failures occur due to lack of maintenance. Doing this will keep your car in proper working conditions and save you money in the long run.
- Differential Fluid – It’s important for you to replace this fluid once in a while. This will keep the vehicle’s differential to last for a long time and in proper working conditions. Also, remember to replace the transfer case fluid.
- Power Steering – Another important fluid that is mostly forgotten. Remember to replace this fluid as often as you replace the brake fluid.
- Remember to Change the Filters
Both the fuel and air filters play an important role in your vehicle. They need replacements regularly so as to keep your car in good working conditions. These filters help in keeping off abrasive grit and dirt from getting into the engine. They need replacement after every 15,000 miles, but for vehicles that drive mostly in dusty areas, they need more regular change. Clogged filters will result in drivability problems. Also, remember to replace the carbon canister filters and the positive crankcase ventilation filter for the vehicles that have it.
- The Ignitions
Nowadays, most engines do not have distributors. They use a direct ignition system. But for vehicles that still use the distributor, they need to change the distributor rotor, cap, and ignition wires. Also, remember to replace the spark plugs after every 100,000 miles or according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Despite having an insurance plan, the best way to keep all your automotive safe is by running a proper maintenance on every aspect. From external parts such as bed liner to the engine. This will eventually save you a lot of money and time in the long run. Therefore, you should adopt a proper maintenance regime for your vehicle.
