Routine Car Maintenance: What Should You Know?
As vehicles like cars, auto are machines, they need routine maintenance. After running 5000 miles in auto, maintenance activities should come into progress. Checking your vehicle on regular notice is your benefit. You may have different brands and varieties of cars to look for. The basic part will be to check how the engine functions and how the different parts of the car work.
But are you paying the vehicle mechanic for frequent maintenance or check-ups? You can help yourself in auto repair activities by following this advice.
Some Vehicle Maintenance Aspects for your DIY:
You must need a mechanic for an auto repair, but other things need to be taken from your perspective. Here is the list to start your journey.
1. Follow-up with owner’s manual:
Each manual talks about the car’s efficiency, how many runs the car should be serviced, and how to take care of the basic electrical components of the car. Observe the maintenance sections and take care of regular items like oil filters, engine oil, belts, hoses, tire rotation, etc. You should not neglect these recommendations for the smooth running of the engine.
Also Read: 6 Important Car Service Tips During Lockdown
2. Monthly Check-up of tires:
Riding depends on the condition of the tires. Tires need to be checked and if possible replaced so that you would not get a hindrance in the journey. Due to friction, the condition of the tires gets worn out, and hence, you need to choose the right tire specialist to get the tyres in the right condition.
Tires need inflation if they are cold to get a correct reading. Check with the spare tire and confirm the pressure reading with the help of the gauge.
3. Change oil and filter as per the schedule:
Oil is the lifeblood of the engine. It keeps important engine parts moving flexibly and does not destroy the whole system. Motor oil asks for changes otherwise the engine may get damaged. Excessive friction takes place with accumulated contaminants when motor parts rub against each other.
Which oil should you use for the engine? Is it synthetic or petroleum-based? Oil type is not that much important if it meets viscosity requirements and other services as per the instruction of the owner’s manual.
4. Replacement of air filter after oil changes:
You must replace the air filter on a semi-annual basis. It depends upon the usage of the car and how much distance you have covered. The best practice is to check up the air filter after oil changes.
5. Inspect other fluids:
There are other fluids available apart from motor oil. Experts advise checking transmission fluids, car brake fluids, fluid of windshield washer, and coolant. You need to check transmission fluid by the dipstick. Determine other fluid levels by opening covers for visual inspection. But designated level should be there in each fluid level.
6. Examine hoses and belts:
If you prefer advanced maintenance for the vehicle, you must inspect belts, and hoses at the engine bay. Hoses direct the flow of coolant so that engine does not get overheated. It hoses have show cracks, and bulges, it must be replaced.
Similarly, you should check up the belts. Belt maintenance is quite critical for auto repair. Replace the belts if it has cracking, wear, material loss, glazing, etc. Keep the belts safe for a safe engine.
Apart from these, the mechanic also checks the steering alignment and the cooling system for the overall working of the car. It also increases the on-road efficiency.
There are other important things like brake maintenance, battery maintenance, etc. If you have an interest in those topics, follow regular auto repair blogs.