Basic Tips for Maintaining your Vehicle
Maintenance of your vehicle is essential to ensure its smooth operation on the road. For those who don't spend a lot of time under the hood, car maintenance can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be that way. Basic car maintenance tips can help you keep your car in tip-top shape, even if it's new to the garage. Below, we show you some of the essential tips that you should take into account to ensure the good condition of your car.
1.- Control the Pressure of your Tires:
Over-inflated tires produce a less effective contact patch on the tracks, reducing ride quality and limiting dry grip. Low-swelling tires produce "wet" handling, run the engine harder (use more fuel), and over-flex the sidewall of the tire, which can cause it to burst. Proper tire pressure is printed on its sidewall; make sure yours are properly inflated for a smooth race on the road.
2.- Keep your Attention on Not Overheating the Motor:
An overheating motor can leave you stranded with a large repair bill. The best way to avoid an overheated engine is to always have the radiator supplied with coolant, which is generally green (some come in yellow). Its function is to reduce the risk of freezing in cold climates and boiling in hot climates. More importantly, coolant helps reduce corrosion, which is one of the main causes of radiator clogging and leakage. To check the latter, run your engine for a few minutes (with the cover on) and have it repaired or replaced if it leaks. To flush the radiator if the liquid is dirty, use a garden hose to circulate water through it (never remove the cap of a hot radiator) with the drain plug removed.
3.- Keep the Motor Well Greased:
You'll need to check the recommended oil for your car, the engine oil capacity, and the type of filter required before you start changing the oil and filter. The new oil keeps the engine running freely, maximizing its efficiency and longevity. Lack of oil and / or dirty oil increases the risk of wear and overheating, shortening the life of the engine. Not all cars have an easily accessible oil filter, so if you're unsure, ask your service advisor.
4.- Cover your Car and Protect it:
Cloth seats generally don't need anything more than a vacuum cleaner to stay clean. On the other hand, just like the floor mats, the seat covers will help you protect the value of your car. If your seat has built-in airbags, make sure you get a matching cover.
