5 Simple Car Maintenance Tips That Really Work
Posted by Anshul Sharma at
Do you want to improve the performance of your old car? Want to minimize common wear and tear on your car? Want to increase the fuel efficiency of your car?
Well, the solution lies in a regular maintenance of your car. The basics like changing air filters, checking tire pressures and replacing the spark plugs can make a difference in overall performance and life of the car. Getting your car serviced more often is just like getting regular checkups at the physicians.
Taking care of your car ensures you safety, improved performance, reduced maintenance costs, minimal breakdown and save your from even worse—a road mishap.
In light of this, here we have come up with some simple yet efficient car maintenance tips.
- Change the Air Filters:
Air filters prevent dirt, grit, dust and debris from entering your engine. This is why they are accumulated with these things over the time. So, it is essential to get air filters changed from time to time to ensure a long life and better performance of the car engine.
The recommended interval of changing air filters is every 12,000 miles or 12 months. However, you should learn your manufacturer’s instructions as it may vary from vehicle to vehicle.
- Consider Replacing the Spark Plug:
Most car owners think that their car is not starting just because of the problem in the battery. But it is not always true.
Sometime, it may be due to the faulty spark plug. In fact, a spark plugs create the combustion required to start your car. However, they can cause problems if they are not checked with regular services, changed or cleaned when required. A problem with the spark plug can lead to engine misfiring and a lack of acceleration.
You should change the spark plugs every 30,000 miles or according to the instructions mentioned in user manual.
- Change the Oil and Oil Filters:
Changing the oil and oil filters is the basic yet most vital thing you can do to keep your vehicle in best condition as possible.
In other words, oil changes save your car. The oil becomes accumulated with debris and dust from the engine and environment as well. In this way, the old oil will affect the engine performance which in turns affects your car’s performance.
The new and fresh oil will maintain engine lubrication; cool down the engine heating part; improve gas mileage and above all promote vehicle longevity.
The oil should be changed every 3,000 miles, though it can be after 5,000 miles for new or smooth running vehicles. Consider oil-change more often if you drive vehicles at high speed or it has an older engine.
Apart from that, consider changing your oil filter as it prevents toxins from entering engine. A clogged or dirty oil filter will affect the mileage and performance of your car, eventually leading to the engine failure.
It would be better if you change your oil filters whenever you get your oil changed.
- Park the Car in the Garage:
Garage parking also extends the life of your car. Leaving your car outside makes it vulnerable to rain, snow, wind, scratches and UV exposure which damages your car exterior and interior as well.
- Take Care of Your Car Tires:
Proper tire maintenance minimize the need of changing them very often, thereby leading to the big cost savings over the life of your car. Above all, it will ensure the utmost gripping and handling of the tires on the road which is important for your safety. Here are some simple maintenance tips to take care of your car tires:
- Inspect them regularly for wear and tear
- Ensure proper air pressure
- Moderate your car speed
- Don’t exceed the load capacity