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Give Extra Life To Your Car. We Tell You How!

Cars are one of the biggest investments that a person makes in his/ her life. But most people are unaware of the ways to take care of their cars. Assuming that your car is currently in a good shape, we will recommend a few tips that will significantly enhance the life of your car. Not only that, by following these simple procedures, you can save big bucks on your car repair.

Change the oil regularly

This is on, despite being an important step that ensures car health, gets the least attention from a car driver. Yes, we are talking about engine oil. You should always set a reminder for yourself to change the oil at intervals recommended by your car manufacturer. Additionally, you should change the oil filter every time you change the oil. It is not necessary that you use synthetic oil (unless your car really requires it). Though it costs more, it definitely enhances the fuel mileage. But if you can afford it, synthetic oil is recommended.

Check your tyre pressure and alignment regularly

Under-inflated tyre not only affects the fuel economy of your car, but can also cause unfortunate tyre blow-outs. Properly inflated tyres do not pose any of the problems that we just mentioned. Most vehicle come with different tyre pressure requirements. If your car is loaded with passengers and luggage, you need to increase the tyre pressure as recommended by your manufacturer.

Checking the tyres for the optimum pressure also allows you to know about the normal tyre wear. And if you encounter any uneven wear on tyres, it is better that you take it for alignment as soon as possible. Spending little money on wheel alignment would seem wiser than shelling some serious money on worn suspension components in six months.

Change fluids at recommended intervals

Most of the car manufacturers are making use of "lifetime" coolant in their new cars these days. This means that you can postpone, under normal circumstances, the fluid change for at least ten years or so. But trust us, there isn't there a thing known as lifetime brake fluid or lifetime transmission fluid. So even though your car claims to be equipped with "lifetime" coolants, you need to change them at regular intervals. Regular brake fluid absorbs more moisture as it becomes older, and it stops working as well as it used to once upon a time. Not only that, dirty brake fluid can also cause clogged brake components, leading to a loss in braking ability. Not one of the best ways to save money, right!

Pay attention to the little things your car communicates to you

Yes, your car does speak to you. It is a different thing altogether that you may not understand your car's language. So, what is your car trying to convey when there is high pitched squeal when you step on the brakes? While this could mean accumulated brake dust, it may also mean pad wear indicators scraping on the rotors. When you hear a screeching sound while accelerating, it means that a fan belt is improperly tensioned or has run beyond its service life.

Paying attention to small things that don't seem normal, you can avoid paying big money on car repairs.

Check belts regularly

Don't wait for long to change the belt in your car. Just because you do not hear the belts squealing, does not mean that they do not need your attention. A broken belt can leave you stranded in the worst possible place and at a time that you would not appreciate. If you are planning a long trip, always remember to check them in advance. Look for any kind of dry rotting or cracking or any other kind of apparent wear. If they look worn, replace them before starting your journey.

Change timing belt at recommended interval

A timing belt serves the purpose of ensuring that your vehicle's open and close your intake and exhaust valves at the right time. And in case, the timing belt breaks, the camshafts and valves stop moving; the pistons, however, do not. The result can vary between bad to worse, depending on the type of motor your car has.

It is of prime importance that you know the service interval period on the timing belt in your car. Change it at the recommended interval time, either in terms of mileage or years, by your manufacturer. If the recommended distance for a timing belt service is 60,000 miles, get it done at that time itself and do not postpone it. We are not saying that you cannot do another 1000 or 2000 kilometres with the same timing belt, but it will be like living on borrowed time and sooner or later your car will leave you stranded.

Even if your car uses timing chain instead of a timing belt, the same rules apply. The service period may be longer, but the rules of the game remain the same. Get it changed when the manufacturer tells you to.

Change filters regularly

Some of the most neglected parts on your car air filters, fuel filters and automatic transmission filters. Change them at the time recommended by your car manufacturer. And trust us on this, you can avoid a lot of drama and important money down the lane.

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