Some people don’t take as much responsibility for their car as they should and they take its condition for granted, believing that it will run in its optimal state forever. When you own a car, it’s your responsibility to maintain it in the best shape possible by regularly doing check-ups, either yourself or having a professional do it. Sometimes it might be expensive and consume a lot of your time, but it’s certainly worth it, especially in the long run. If you regularly take care of your car, you’ll secure yourself a safe and pleasant ride wherever you go. To ensure that, keep reading and find out about a list of five tips on how to look after your car, both on the inside and outside.
Don’t neglect your tires
Keeping your tires in their best shape affects your safety, as it ensures the utmost handling and traction. Proper maintenance can also improve energy efficiency and fuel economy, thus you can achieve significant cost savings. Besides that, if you keep them in good shape, you won’t have to change them as often, which spells additional savings. One of the things you could do to properly maintain your tires is to pay attention to tire pressure every other time you go to fill your tank. If it’s not right, it might impair the performance, thus wear them down faster than usual. Besides that, make sure to rotate them once or twice a year, so you’d prevent uneven wear and tear. Don’t drive too fast and be mindful of the weight index, so you wouldn’t overload and destroy them.
Keep it clean
You have to make sure that your car looks clean both on the outside and inside and there are a few things you can do to accomplish that. Keep a trash can in your car, so that there wouldn’t be any of it on the floor. Keep surfaces clean, shake out mats whenever you can, clean out cup holders, clean seats and everything you can to have the inside of your car look fresh and new. Be mindful of where you park your car, as the environment can affect its condition. Also, think about doing car detailing in Sydney, or wherever you’re located, as it will protect your car from a host of contaminants and make it look brand new!
Checking the oil is fundamental
Motor oil is essential for every car’s performance, as it allows for the car’s engine to run smoothly. It keeps the engine’s internal parts lubricated and cool, prevents their grinding, wear and damage. If you don’t change it every 5000 miles or so, dirt might build up in the engine and dirty oil can’t lubricate the moving parts as well as fresh oil would. As a result, you might have to change your engine if things get serious. If you regularly change your oil, you will also decrease fuel consumption and save a lot over the year. It’s not difficult to do it yourself, but you can also hire a professional to do it for you, especially if you’re not sure what type of oil your car needs.
Radiator and cooling system
The radiator and cooling system is a part of your car that keeps it running at proper temperatures, no matter what the external conditions are. Radiator coolant (also called antifreeze) cycles through the engine and back through the radiator, which prevents overheating. It also serves the opposite purpose, meaning that it decreases the freezing point of your engine in winter months. One of the things that you can do yourself is check if there are leaks anywhere by inspecting the hoses and pipes for cracks and swellings. You can also check the coolant level and maintain a proper mixture of coolant and water your cooling system needs.
Maintain the windshield sparkly
A clean windshield gives you a clear view of the road, thus it secures you a safe ride. It also looks nicer when there’s no dirt or other strange things on it. If you’re doing it yourself, make sure to stay away from ammonia-based products, as they can cause damage to plastic, leather, vinyl and rubber, as well as the tint on your glass. The best option is to clean it with auto glass cleaners and microfiber towels and don’t forget to clean it on the inside as well. Don’t forget to check wipers and washer fluid as often as you can. When the rubber wears down, the metal that holds it might start scratching your glass and you surely don’t want that. Replace them when needed, optimally once or twice a year.
Looking after your car means dealing with issues as soon as you notice them because they can grow into larger ones with time and you might endanger your safety. Owning a car is a big responsibility and you have to invest time into it if you want it to last. If you can’t do it on your own, you can always ask a professional for help.