Owning a car doesn’t just come with the privileges of cruising through town in it or driving to work, but it also comes with a set of requests including maintenance. A well-maintained car looks brand new all the time, and it can fetch a reasonable price any time if you feel like selling it. You should never be late or ignore a service date to ensure your car performs well. You are about to discover seven maintenance tips to keep your car in good condition.
- Wash Your Car
Some people wash their cars daily. It’s not bad! Try to wash your car at least once a week. Wash the body, scrub the wheels, open the trunk and the hood and pressure wash it. Scrub the interior and make sure everything is sparkling clean.
You can also pressure wash the car underneath to clear road salt. Even the car insurance company will notice that you are a responsible owner when they see your car, and it’s a good thing.
- Always Refer to Your Owner’s Manual
The most important document of your car is in the glove compartment. The document, or manual, specifies the make and model of the vehicle. Something you might not be knowing at heart.
The manual states a lot of things including the type of fuel you should use and whether you can tie your tires with a chain when there is snow.
- Check Fluids and Tire Pressure Regularly
The fluids in your car and tires are very vital, and if you must set a reminder to remember checking them, then go ahead. It will take you ten minutes to do that, but it will save you from a mishap that could last hours.
In the morning, detach the dipstick and clean it before dipping it right inside to know when to change the oil. Check the belts and horses, and check the level of the fluid for power steering. Also, confirm the level of the transmission fluid and tire pressure.
- Check Battery
Ensure that the battery terminals and cables are attached the way they are supposed to and use a specified fluid to wash off corrosion.
In case your battery has removable caps, always check the level of fluid inside every two or three months especially in summer.
- Rotate Your Tires
What are you thinking? Your tires rotate every time you are driving. Right? Well, I meant changing the location of each tire. Move the front tire to the back or the other side.
The pulling or pushing tire tends to wear out faster than the others and so rotating them will ensure that their lifespan is even. You don’t want to buy one tire after every few years.
- Drive Better
The way you handle your things determines how long they will last. It turns out that it applies to your car as well. If you like performing stunts and tricks, your car wears faster than your shoes, and sometimes it might damage completely.
If you are the kind of person who presses the gas pedal hard and brake pedal suddenly, you are slowly sending your car to the yard. Driving wisely will ensure your car lasts through your next generation and consumes less fuel.
- Cover it Up
How long would you stay in the sun? You always find yourself looking for a shade when it’s too hot. That applies to your car too. You shouldn’t live your car out in the sun for long hours.
Cover it up with a tent-like material and whenever you are at home, put your car in the garage. It will help your car maintain its paint color and look like you bought it yesterday.
Conclusion
They say that your car can tell the kind of driver you are. Just like the way a horse owner cleans, brushes, and vaccinates it, you should maintain your car, or else you will be a frequent visitor to auto repairers.