To keep a car in good shape, its body needs to be maintained. In the absence of routine maintenance, you or your car may go without any major issues for some time. Maintaining your body and vehicle for years to come (or at least close to it) requires some basic knowledge.
There are many reasons why it is important to maintain your wheels and yourself. The magazine is, after all, called Car and Driver. Additionally, our expertise in this area is relatively limited. However, we have a good understanding of how to maintain your vehicle.
You can prevent expensive repairs in the future by performing regular maintenance on your vehicle. The value of a well-maintained vehicle is higher when traded in and resold than a neglected one. The best way to keep yourself healthy is to keep your car in good shape.
Make sure your car keeps running smoothly without having to be a mechanic or even a car enthusiast. You won’t have any problems with the process. Keeping your car in good shape for years to come requires just six simple checks.
Illustrations have been provided to help you identify components that should be inspected under the hood. If you want to know how to repair these items according to your manufacturer, you should always read your owner’s manual.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Maintenance Tips
1. Oil level
All the moving parts in your car require lubrication, so it is essential to keep the oil topped up. In modern cars, the engines are well-built and require little oil between oil changes and filter changes because they are well-sealed and meticulously constructed. In order to determine if your car is an exception, keep an eye on its oil level. Alternatively, you may have to add oil to your car. There are several ways to check oil:
- The engine should be turned off. You should open the hood. Under the dashboard, there is a release, and under the hood, there is a safety catch.
- Make sure you identify and remove the engine oil dipstick (it is usually clearly labeled). The presence of this substance is usually obvious since it is yellow in color. Put the dipstick back into its sheath after wiping the end clean.
- An arrow at the tip of the bottle indicates the range from one quart low to full. You will see oil coating the dipstick. You should be able to reach the maximum and minimum lines with your output. When your oil level falls below the minimum, you should add your vehicle’s recommended oil. There is information about this in the owner’s manual.
- By twisting off the cap marked with the oil-can symbol (which says “oil”), pour a quart of oil into the oil can on top of the engine.
- It is possible for oil to smoke when it gets hot. The engine should be cleaned of any drips.
In newer cars, there may not be a physical dipstick available. Usually, you will have to consult the owner’s manual to find the digital one. A physical dipstick automobile can be added oil just as your car can be added oil.
In order to prevent engine damage, you should make sure that the oil in your engine is clean rather than just sufficient. A recommended time interval for changing oil and filters is specified in the owner’s manual.
2. Maintain Windshield Washer Fluid
When your windshield is caked in road muck and salt, you’re going to have trouble seeing. When your washer fluid runs out, it’s especially bad in winter. The time of year and the weather determine how frequently you need to check the windshield washer reservoir. Check it out by following these steps:
- Under the hood, you will find the windshield washer reservoir.
- It is often possible to see the level of a washer tank visually thanks to the use of translucent plastic. The problem is that many are hidden, so you can’t tell how full they are unless you stuff them to the brim.
- Remove the cap from the reservoir. Windshield wiper spray is indicated with an icon. Washer fluid should be poured into the reservoir.
- Using pure water will result in your wipers not working as freezing temperatures will turn the water to ice in the reservoir. In all but the coldest winter temperatures, commercial washer fluid contains alcohol to prevent solidification.
3. Tire air pressure should be checked
Earlier cars didn’t have air pressure warning lights. Newer cars have them, but older ones don’t. A tire pressure gauge can help you ensure that your tire pressures are set correctly at an auto parts store. The following information is important:
- If you haven’t driven on the tires this day, you can see the proper inflation pressure on the driver’s door pillar.
- Every two weeks, check the pressure in your tires. Your car will perform as it should if its tires are properly inflated. You will also spend more on fuel or electricity if your tires lack air, resulting in a lower fuel economy.
4. Do you have a full radiator?
It is possible to visually inspect your radiator, which contains coolant that keeps your engine from overheating. How to do it:
- Under the hood is the coolant reservoir. A line shows the minimum and maximum value on it, and it is made of translucent plastic.
- A coolant level between the lines should be found when the engine is cool.
- You should top up your antifreeze if it is low (see your owner’s manual).
- Cooling system refills should never be attempted through radiator caps! The radiator cap, which is the black cap located atop the radiator itself, may spit back scalding coolant if it is loosen while the engine is warm. Don’t refill under pressure; always use the reservoir.
- Make sure you recheck your coolant every few weeks if it’s low during your initial check. You will need to take the car to the dealer or repair shop if you keep losing coolant in the cooling system.
- It is safe to assume your cooling system is working properly if the coolant level remains in that middle zone. Despite its longevity, coolant does not last forever. You can find out how often it should be replaced in your owner’s manual.
5. Check your brake fluid
You can see the level of brake fluid in most cars because they come with a translucent plastic reservoir located towards the rear of the engine bay (or firewall). The brake fluid level can be checked as follows:
- Reservoir for brake fluid can be found here.
- Locate the maximum and minimum markings. If you have an owner’s manual, check it out to see how to check the brake fluid level of your specific vehicle. These are usually integrated into the fluid reservoir’s cap, which requires you to remove the cap to verify the brake fluid level is not too low or too high.
- Your brake system has integrity if the brake reservoir is full.
- Replace the brake fluid in the reservoir if it is low (see your vehicle’s owner’s manual).
- It should be checked at every gas station. Plan to take your car to a repair facility if the fluid level continues to drop, even slowly. Alternatively, you can determine what the problem is and fix it yourself. In any case, you and others could be in danger if you drive your vehicle if it has a mechanical issue.
- It is recommended to replace brake fluid every two to three years, just like coolant. To determine when it’s time to replace it, refer to your owner’s manual.
A brake pad is another component that wears out. Your car and driving conditions can affect how long your pads last. However, this is not an easy thing to check at home. When you bring your car into a shop for scheduled maintenance, your pads will typically be inspected visually.
When brake pads need to be replaced, they are marked with a wear indicator. In many cases, this is manifested as squealing or grinding under braking. The offending brake pads should be replaced as soon as possible if you hear this sound. You may not need to replace all four brake pads at once, as front and rear brake pads wear at different rates.
The pad linings can wear through to the backing plates if you don’t change your brake pads in a timely manner and this can cause serious damage to your brake rotors. As for braking performance and safety, there is also a potential impact.
6. Need Tires
In order for your car to operate properly, you need tires. Avoid wearing them to baldness. It is much easier to lose control of your vehicle when you are driving on wet roads because your tires act like water skis. It is essential that you can see the tread across the tire. Make sure the tread depth is adequate by using a penny. The steps are as follows:
- A penny edge should be placed upside down on the tread in order to see Abraham Lincoln’s head.
- Lincoln’s head tread grooves channel rainwater away and keep the tire connected to the road, so it is not recommended to drive in wet weather with those grooves visible. You should have new tires on your vehicle!
- To determine whether your tires need to be replaced, contact a tire dealer. You should rotate your tires every year to even out their wear. Cold-weather states should invest in winter tires.
It’s that simple. If you follow those steps and check them occasionally, you’ll be fine-literally and figuratively. Leaving the rest to the experts is all that’s left to be done.
7. Regular Oil Changes
Your car’s oil should be changed regularly in order to keep it in good condition. It keeps moving parts well-lubricated, which prevents friction and overheating. The efficiency of oil can be reduced over time because of degrading and dirting. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed when changing the oil. Oil should never be changed unless the manufacturer recommends it. An improperly lubricated engine can cause serious damage.
Make sure your oil is at the right level between oil changes. You should top up your oil every month if the level is low. Also, notice how the oil looks and its consistency. Dark and gritty oil is a sign you need to change it. Your engine will last longer and be well-lubricated if you follow the following practices.
Replace air filters as necessary during oil changes. Using these filters, you can protect your engine from dirt and debris. A clogged engine will perform less efficiently. As important as changing the oil and coolant is cleaning or replacing the air filters.
8. Regular Calibration
A calibration ensures that your vehicle’s systems are accurate and efficient. The electronic control unit (ECU) of a modern car contains numerous sensors. Safety features and engine performance are checked and regulated by these devices. Your systems could be negatively affected as a result of these sensors drifting out of alignment over time.
Performing regular calibrations will ensure the sensor’s proper functioning. Furthermore, it ensures the accuracy of the data collected by these sensors. ADAS calibration using van Isle is an example of how advanced driver assistance systems can be calibrated for maximum effectiveness.
Air-fuel mixture sensors and fuel injector calibrations are also crucial. It makes engines more efficient and enhances their performance. Your vehicle will perform better and be more reliable if these components are calibrated regularly. As a result, you will have a smooth drive and will be less likely to experience a breakdown.
9. Maintenance of tires
Safety and performance depend on proper tire maintenance. Tire pressure, tread, and alignment should all be checked during proper maintenance routines. It can be detrimental to a vehicle’s fuel economy and handling to have underinflated or overinflated tires. Maintaining proper tire pressure should also be done on a regular basis.
Additionally, you can determine when tires need replacement by checking the tread depth regularly. In wet or icy conditions, worn-out tires reduce grip. Your chances of getting into an accident increase as a result. It is also important to rotate your tires. When wheels aren’t aligned properly, they can cause uneven tire wear and handling problems.
Vibrations and accelerated wear can occur due to unbalanced tires. Your brakes stay in good condition when you maintain your tires regularly. A fuel-efficient car is more enjoyable to drive and has greater fuel efficiency. Replace your brake pads and rotors if necessary as well if you hear unusual noises coming from your brakes.
10. Check the batteries
Starting the engine and operating electronics are all powered by the battery. Maintaining it properly will help ensure that your car runs smoothly. Ensure the cables are securely attached and inspect the terminals for corrosion. The vehicle may not start if the connections are loose or the terminals are corroded.
Additionally, the battery should always be charged. In order to keep your battery charged, invest in a trickle charger.
Final Thoughts
Car maintenance must be approached in a proactive manner. Regular maintenance, such as oil changes, is essential to this. Critical systems need to be calibrated and tires need to be maintained. A preventative maintenance program can save you money and prevent costly breakdowns. With a reliable car, you can drive with peace of mind.
