Your car may be tough but it isn’t indestructible. It’s a complex machine made of thousands of parts that eventually deteriorates after many miles of driving. If certain components are exposed to weather elements or stressful driving conditions, they can become damaged and affect your driving experience.
Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to ensure that your vehicle’s performance is maintained or improved.
Proper car maintenance is one of the easiest, most effective, and most inexpensive ways to help keep your vehicle in good working order. And if necessary, you can install high-quality parts from a reliable auto parts supplier in New Zealand to boost its efficiency.
Regular car check-ups will help you understand the current status of your vehicle, giving you a chance to spot and fix problems before they become worse. It’s also a good idea to know how to perform these check-ups yourself, that way you don’t have to take it to a mechanic every single time. . They’re a must for every car owner, making it easier to keep your vehicle in great shape.
Check the Tyre Pressure
The tyres are what make your car move, so they see a lot of abuse because they’re always in contact with the road. They also tend to wear out faster the more frequently you drive.
Eventually, they will start to leak and lose air whether or not they’re punctured or otherwise damaged. Driving with under-inflated or soft tyres isn’t ideal, as low tyre pressure makes your vehicle unstable and difficult to control. You also risk damaging both the tyres and wheels.
Suggestion: 9 Best Garage Floor Mats For Under Cars in 2022 To Buy Online
Low tyre pressure can lead to blowouts and less traction, as well as decrease the car’s gas mileage. Meanwhile, too much tyre pressure will warp the tyres’ shape, as well as affect their grip on the road.
That’s why you need to make sure that your vehicle’s tyre pressure is according to the manufacturer’s specifications. You can use a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to keep track. If there are any discrepancies, you can add or remove the right amount of air to get the tyres back in perfect condition. Consult your owner’s manual or check the side of the driver-side door for the recommended psi.
Test the Brakes
Your car’s brakes play an important role in keeping your drives safe, stopping your vehicle as safely and as easily as possible. It isn’t recommended to drive your car if its brake system is faulty, even if the problem is minor.
Popular For You: 9 Best Longest Lasting Car Air Freshener Review in 2022 To Buy Online
This puts you, as well as other motorists, pedestrians, and your passengers, at risk of getting into an accident or getting injured. That’s why you have to test your brakes often to ensure that they’re still in good condition. When testing your brakes, look for the following warning signs:
- Squealing or loud metallic sounds
- Your car pulling off to the side
- The warning light is on
The causes of these problems can stem from thin brake pads to damaged rotors. Whatever issue it is, however, it’s crucial to have it properly dealt with immediately.
Examine the Components in the Engine Bay
The engine is the heart of your car, so it’s important that all of the parts in the engine bay are working together. Simply open the hood of your vehicle and inspect its parts, especially its belts, hoses, pistons, and ignition components. If these are well-maintained, you can rest assured that your vehicle will run smoothly and efficiently.
Clean Your Engine Air Filter
Your car’s air filter is responsible for feeding cool, clean air into the engine. This allows your vehicle to hit higher horsepower and torque numbers without a problem. However, the air filter gets dirty over time. That’s why it’s a good idea to clean it every 25,000 kilometres or so.
Suggestion: 9 Best All-Purpose Cleaner For Car Interior Review in 2022 To Buy Online
You can use an air filter cleaner kit or liquid dish soap and water. This only works, however, if your vehicle has a washable air filter. If your car doesn’t have one, your best solution is to have it replaced.
Check the Vehicle’s Fluid Levels
There are six kinds of fluids your car uses. The engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Each of these is formulated to ensure that their respective systems are well-lubricated, cool, clean, and operable. You need to make sure that the levels of these fluids are always at their proper levels. If they aren’t, it could cause problems like the grinding of gears or overheating.
Wash Your Car
It’s recommended to wash your car once every two weeks. Even though this sounds a bit much, keeping your vehicle’s exterior and interior spotless can prevent dirt, road salt, and other debris from damaging or staining your car’s paint job. It also makes your car look brand new, even if you’ve been driving it for years.
Owning a car is a liberating experience and has plenty of benefits. You’ll have more freedom to choose your travel times since you won’t be dependent on the schedule and availability of public transport. You’ll also feel safer travelling because you’ll be the one sitting behind the wheel.
However, there is a lot of responsibility tied to being a car owner. Not only do you have to stay vigilant and drive safely, but you also have to make sure that your vehicle stays in good shape. With proper maintenance, you can ensure that your drives will remain safe and smooth. Your car will also deliver more reliable and consistent performance, reaching longer distances without breaking down easily.