With rising fuel prices and expensive mechanic services, the last thing you want to worry about is a car that's not running well. Instead, protect your investment and make it as secure as possible. Keeping your car in good condition can be as simple as checking fluids or tire pressure.
Steps
Step 1. Read the manual and maintenance report correctly
Maintaining constant maintenance on your car will help you avoid costly problems with the cooling system, transmission system, suspension and other components; following the recommendations will also help you make the most of the manufacturer's warranty.
Step 2. Drive less
Above all, avoid short journeys. Cold starts are harmful to engines, fuel consumption and the environment. Short trips can also significantly shorten the life of your muffler. Basically, when you start the engine cold it produces condensation in the exhaust pipe, and if you don't drive enough to evaporate the condensation, too much water can accumulate in the muffler, which will cause rust and consequently cracks. So avoid starting a cold car just to put it in the garage, for example. Instead, walk to the nearest shops. Arrange to run errands close to home, and if you have multiple vehicles, always use the one you drove most recently to go out again. Drive each car at least once a week, as vehicles that stand still for more than a week or two can have other problems, such as leaking fluids. Consult a mechanic if you have a car that has stopped for a long time.
Step 3. Check the fluids:
regularly check the level of antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake oil, as often as you do gasoline. Even if your car has no leaks, it can still develop one and quickly reach a dangerous level of some fluid. Also check the color of the fluids. Some of them are in clear plastic containers that allow you to notice the color, others have rods to check the level. The antifreeze must be pink, green or yellow (pink for new models, green for old, yellow or gray for cars that have lost the original antifreeze and now have universal antifreeze. If it is brown, the fluid may be dirty. or full of rust, however to be replaced. Never mix antifreeze; if you don't know the color of your car's antifreeze, buy a universal brand. The oil must be clean enough, not black: the black oil is left in the engine too long. White oil with a smoothie-like appearance is filled with water, possibly from leaking antifreeze, or, rare, from excessive condensation. Transmission fluid should be bright red and it must not have a burning smell, if it is brown and smells of burning it should be replaced.
Step 4. Change the oil regularly:
this will improve fuel consumption and protect the engine. The recommended mileage between one oil change and another is between 5000 and 8000 kilometers, or every 3 - 6 months. By doing so, your vehicle can reach 300,000 kilometers. Change the oil filter too - there is no point in running clean oil through a dirty filter. Filters are also very cheap and available in many auto parts stores. Check the manual or contact the dealer for special needs of your car.
Step 5. Change the air filter:
this can be easily done at home without the use of special tools, and must be performed approximately every 20,000 kilometers. You can buy a matching filter at the nearest auto parts shop. The manual will tell you where to place it. A dirty and dusty filter can increase fuel consumption.
Step 6. Change these fluids every two years:
power steering fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze. Check the manual for the cadence provided by the manufacturer. New cars generally allow the fluid to hold longer before changing it. Change the transmission fluid and filter every 50 thousand kilometers. If you have already exceeded 70,000 kilometers without changing the fluid, on many transmission systems it is better NOT to change it and be optimistic. Often, putting new liquid in a system that has already traveled many kilometers with another fluid can curiously cause problems because it can damage the "patina" and rubber that has been deposited in the system due to the liquid used for too long.
Step 7. Monitor the thickness of the brake pads and don't let them wear down to the metal
This would cause damage to the brake discs if not also to the brake shoes. Replacing the discs and shoes is much more expensive than replacing the pads. Nothing beats cleaning the pad while it is still in the car. The friction between the pad and the disc will eliminate any external substance almost immediately.
Step 8. Change tires on a rolling basis
Changing the position of the tires is very important and reduces irregularities and tears in the tread, extending the life of the tire. The recommended rotation cycle is one change twice a year or every 6,000 miles. Rotate them diagonally, front right to rear left and front left to rear right. However, this model may change according to the vehicle transmission and the type of tires. Your manual will contain information on this. Remember that some tires (especially sports car tires) are directional, meaning they rotate in one direction only. They usually have a large arrow on the side to indicate this.
Step 9. Maintain tire pressure
Under-inflated tires reduce tire life by 15% and increase fuel consumption by 10%. Inflating the tires is probably the simplest operation, and many shops sell very inexpensive gauges. Checking the pressure every time you refuel will reduce tire wear and can prevent these problems. Monitor the tread with a coin. Insert the coin under the tread. If you can see the entire character's head on the coin, then the tires will need to be changed.
Step 10. Practice toe-in the front wheels
If you notice that the car wobbles while driving at high speed (not while braking - wobble while braking indicates that the discs are bent), or if the tread has worn irregularly, then you will need to align the wheels with the toe. It is also a solution for extending the life of the tires and conserving the tread pattern for added safety.
Step 11. Start the car correctly every time
Turn it on and drive slowly until the car has reached the optimum temperature. This will reduce engine stress when the oil is still cold and viscous. Another option is to use an electric motor heater to start driving with the engine already warm. Accelerate properly to reach speed. For most modern cars, running with a cold engine at idle is ineffective and even counterproductive. Also, as you accelerate, release the throttle a bit to cause the automatic transmission to shift into higher gear while you don't accelerate hard. This will reduce wear on the internal clutch. It's easier for the clutch to shift gears when you're not pushing the accelerator.
Step 12. Use the handbrake
Even if you are driving an automatic transmission car, use the handbrake regularly, especially if you park on steep roads. It will help you balance the brakes at the rear and make them last longer. Do not use the handbrake in winter as the brake may freeze and stop working until thawed.
Step 13. Wash your car:
road salt, sewer debris and pollution can cause structural problems that require expensive work. Without regular cleaning, you can start to notice rust on the bottom of the doors after four years. Another three or four years and the corrosion will affect internal components, such as brake lines. Rust repair work can cost thousands of Euros if you don't wash your car often, especially if you live in seaside areas where road sand or morning dew can contain a lot of salt.
Advice
- Cars with manual transmission or those with turbo superchargers require different maintenance schedules, depending on the climate and road conditions. Always consult the manual or ask the manufacturer's offices.
- Synthetic oils may be more expensive initially, but they provide better protection than classic motor oils. SM oils are the latest generation and provide better protection. Oil has different viscosity in cold and hot conditions, so make sure you have the right temperature in summer and winter especially if you live in areas where it snows. The most important thing is to use a good brand oil. Good oils have the color of honey when new. CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3 - 6 MONTHS AT THE MAXIMUM, OR BEFORE YOU REACH 10,000 KM. Check the lowercase texts in the manual. Many European cars have indicated 15,000 km between changes, but recently manufacturers around the world have discovered that it is too great a distance that causes too much damage to the engine.
- A regular oil change is an economic guarantee and optimizes fuel consumption. Heat the oil each time for at least 30 seconds. If you are on a ramp on the freeway, let the engine warm up before accelerating, otherwise you will be driving at high speed in cold conditions, in a bad condition for the engine.
- If your manual says it is best to warm up the car before driving, it is best to follow the instructions; as mentioned many times before, the people who produced it know it better.
- The best thing you can do to extend the life of your car, and potentially save a lot of money, is to perform a service routine on it. Each car manufacturer provides a program of recommended services for that type of car. Follow him. The best place to work on a vehicle that is still under warranty is your dealer. For cars that are no longer under warranty, your best bet is to find a reputable, independent mechanic and serve you there regularly.
- Search auto parts suppliers for the specification manual for your car. It explains how to perform basic maintenance. Often, you'll save a lot of money just by fixing things yourself.
Warnings
- Avoid the holes: they can blow air out of the tires or shift weight which leads to unbalanced wheels - if you get a pothole and damage your car, contact your city hall, they may have to reimburse you for the damage.
- Avoid fuel additives: Only additives to clean the injector are valid. Don't worry about buying octane boosting ones, just buy good fuel.
- Avoid engine bleeding oil. If your engine is blocked by lack of oil, these types of oil can cause large chunks of bleed material to leak and clog an oil channel. Use them only if recommended by the mechanic.
- Pay attention to the first repairs: Do not attempt to complete repairs to your vehicle without outside supervision if you have never done so before. Modern cars are complex puzzles, and many components need to be moved to reach a particular screw. Get help first.
- Check the warranty: Check the terms and conditions before repairing your car yourself while it is still under warranty. If you haven't contacted an accredited mechanic, a job alone could make you lose your warranty.
