Modern cars are stylish, feature-loaded, and offer a lot of comfort. They have become an indispensable part of families. It isn’t easy to imagine comfortable commuting or a day without them. What if your beloved car breaks down right in the middle of the road? Not cool! Since it’s an important mode of comfortable commuting, you need to follow basic car care and maintenance tips to keep it running smoothly.
Hence, we bring you the top 10 maintenance and car-care tips to keep your beloved car in good shape for years.
- Follow your car’s manual.
Your car’s manual acts like a bible that guides you about your car’s maintenance and care. In other words, it’s a user manual that helps you to know everything about your vehicle in a detailed manner. You will likely find various things such as fuel type, controls, security, driving aids, specifications, etc. It will guide you on how to change tires, unlock a door, install a baby seat, or use various features.
- Maintain the right tire pressure.
Car tires act as the lifeline of your car. They make your car move on the roads smoothly. Hence, they need the utmost attention and care. What keeps them going is the right tire pressure. If it’s incorrect for a long time, then their life gets reduced and may cause tire bursts or early wear and tear. So, it's important to fill the appropriate amount of air in the tires. You can also buy a tire pressure-checking device to get it checked periodically yourself. Also, get them checked occasionally for cracks or objects that often get stuck on the outer region of the tire.
- Change lubricants and oil filters.
A car is a complex machine with multiple big and small parts. Every part requires proper lubricant to run smoothly without creating any trouble. The major role of oil is to lubricate moving parts and soak up the heat generated due to friction. The oil filter helps to keep the oil clean and away from contamination. Get them checked periodically to keep the machinery working smoothly.
- Maintain engine cleanliness.
The engine is the whole and soul of your car. Any fault in the engine costs a bomb. One has to pay a heavy amount to get it repaired. Hence, it's essential to keep your engine clean throughout the year. Also, make sure to check if there are any leakages, dust, or debris in and around the engine unit to avoid any damage.
- Replace a faulty spark plug.
A spark plug kickstarts your car. It acts as a whistle that starts the race. If it’s in faulty condition, it needs to be replaced immediately. You can notice a faulty spark plug if there’s a starting issue, a drastic dip in mileage, enhanced vibrations or noise, or uneven acceleration. These are the potential reasons behind a faulty spark plug.
- Clean the interiors from time to time.
Internal cleaning is as essential as external washing. It’s not mandatory to get it cleaned from outside. Buy a vacuum cleaner to keep your car’s cabin dust- and dirt-free. A portable vacuum cleaner helps you to clean tricky places where it’s difficult to put your hands on. For instance, air vents, gear stick bottom, area under the seats, and steering wheel.
- Don’t neglect battery maintenance.
The car battery is also one of the vital components of your car. To keep it running smoothly for years, you need to carry out proper battery maintenance periodically. First of all, refer to the manual that came along with your car to understand its cleanliness and maintenance tips. The terminal contacts need to be cleaned by safely disconnecting the battery. Make sure to disconnect the negative terminal first to cut the electrical supply and to avoid any mishap. Clean thoroughly all the contacts with the brush to amplify its lifeline.
- Keep an eye on brake fluid.
The braking system of your car is important and complex and requires essential fluid for its proper functioning. It’s important to keep it checked and ensure sufficient fluid amount. If it’s dark in color, then it’s time to change it.
- Maintain good fuel economy.
A well-maintained car gives good mileage. To maintain good fuel economy, one just needs to follow some quick and easy steps, including maintaining an average speed or avoiding putting too much weight in the car. Lighter the weight, higher the mileage.
- Check windshield wipers.
During the rainy season, windshield wipers play a pivotal role in maintaining the right visibility. If any of the wipers are not working properly, then the visibility gets reduced, which may land you in trouble. Generally, they should be replaced every year, depending on the climate in your city.
- Check the cabin air filter
A cabin air filter is important to let the clean and seamless cooling and flow of the air inside the cabin. According to the Indian climatic condition, it should be changed every 6 months.
Final Wrap
Last but not least, don’t forget to check car lights to keep accidents at bay. All these small yet essential car maintenance and car tips can amplify the lifeline of your car and let it run smoothly without facing any breakdown or problem in the middle of the road. You can also invest in some car exterior and interior accessories to amplify its safety, style, and comfort. AutoFurnish offers a wide range of car accessories, such as car body covers, car floor mats, etc., to help you protect your car from all odds while sprucing up its style quotient.