We’ve all heard the adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” With cars, this couldn’t be more true. No matter what kind of car you drive, there are some top car maintenance tips from the pros that you need to know. Car care doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Though it’s not always the most exciting thing to do, several things can save you money down the road. Just follow these professional car maintenance tips on making sure your car is always running at its 100% best.
1. Have Your Lights Inspected Regularly
There is a two-fold reason to have your lights inspected regularly:
- It helps keep you and other drivers on the road much safer. You know how frustrating it can be when a car doesn’t turn its headlights on until they’re right behind you.
- No matter which way you put your brights on, it just makes the one headlight appear even dimmer than before. If not changed immediately, a burnt-out or faulty light can cause this same effect.
Having your lights checked every so often helps avoid law enforcement ticketing for driving with non-functioning lights.You can convert your standard halogen bulbs to ultra-bright LED bulbs with lighting accessories from xenonsonline, which can help take your vehicle’s lighting system to the next level. These lights are brighter and more reliable than your factory headlights.
2. Get A Regular Oil Change
Most people don’t understand the importance of regular oil changes for their vehicle’s health until it’s too late. This is one of the top car maintenance tips from the pros that you should know if your engine’s health is essential to you. Changing your oil based on manufacturer recommendations keeps contaminants out of your engine and maintains even pressure throughout the entire system to keep parts more relaxed. It also helps extend the life of your vehicle by at least 50%.
3. Keep Your Fuel Filter Clean By Replacing It Regularly
Fuel filters don’t often get talked about in many conversations, but they should. A clogged-up fuel filter can lead to poor performance and even cause damage to other parts of your car if left unchecked for too long. That means it is vital to keep yourself aware of when the recommended mileage intervals are for changing out your fuel filters – either every 20,000 miles or 24 months (whichever comes first) for your specific vehicle. If you find yourself on the road longer than anticipated or you use a race car, change it more often. This can save you a lot of money down the road and keep you from getting stranded on the side of the highway with a broken-down car.
4. Keep Your Wipers And Windshield Clean
If you notice streaks or smudges on your windshield, it’s more than likely that some contaminate has found its way into your wiper system. Like any other part of your car, wiper fluid will deteriorate over time and cause damage to other parts if not used properly. Additionally, leaving wiper fluid in your system for extended periods may lead to some corrosion and damage to the reservoir itself, which could result in costly maintenance later on the road. Make sure you get an entire wiper fluid top off every time you fill up on gas and clean your windshield regularly.
5. Use Low-Temperature Coolant In Your Vehicle Year-Round
It’s essential to make sure the coolant in your vehicle is changed out at least twice a year, or more depending on how old your car is and how often it has been driven between changes. Live in an area with harsh winters where temperatures drop below freezing. You should get a lower temperature version of coolant, which can help prevent cracking caused by freezing temperatures that regular antifreeze doesn’t stop. In warmer climates, plain water could cause rust to develop inside your engine if left too long without being appropriately diluted.
6. Keep Your Gas Tank Above 3/4 Full
Fuel is evaporated when it hits the ground or splashes up on your car. To avoid more expensive repairs, you should always ensure that your tank of gas is at least 3/4 full. This will help prevent rust and corrosion from forming in more hard-to-reach areas of your engine. When you get below a half-tank of gas, you’re more likely to cause damage driving on fumes than you are just putting gas in the tank. Adding a fuel stabilizer is also highly recommended if you know that it will be sitting for any length of time before getting filled back up again.
7. Get Your Brakes Checked Out Each Year
Like oil changes, brake pads and rotors have manufacturer-recommended intervals for being replaced. If you’re hearing squealing when you apply the brakes, they are most likely starting to show their age and should be checked out by a professional mechanic soon before you run into problems that cost more money than just replacing your brakes would have in the first place. Also, make sure to get all of the lights on your dash inspected every time you go in for oil changes – it’s an easy thing to forget about but can save serious cash down the road if done regularly.
8. Use The Correct Fluids
Use only approved car fluids. Do your research on what type of fluid is best for your vehicle, and make sure to purchase the correct one. Using the wrong types or incorrect amounts of oil can damage parts in your engine, leading to big problems down the road. For example, most cars have a “dipstick” that measures the oil level in your car’s engine. Too much oil can cause sludge or other buildups that would require you to replace significant engine components because it could disturb the pistons inside your motor – not good.
In conclusion, if you want a vehicle that’s going to last for years and be worth more money down the road, you’re going to need to put in some work. Having a well-maintained car will initially cost a bit of money but will save quite a bit in repairs and help your vehicle hold its value. These are just a few of the top car maintenance tips from the pros you need to know about – use this knowledge wisely and have fun driving.