26 General Vehicle Maintenance Tips Every Car Owner Should Know

 

General tips on vehicle maintenance

Whether you've bought a car or been around for a long time, following certain vehicle maintenance tips can help you keep your car at its best performance. If you need a guide or a checklist of tips to keep your car in top condition, this is helpful read.

Here is a comprehensive list of vehicle maintenance tips and checklists for any car owner.

Check your vehicle regularly

Take a walk around your vehicle at least once a week. During a walk, examine your car and look for any physical damage. You should also check your tires for wear, punctures, or cuts, and test every lock, window, and even the sunroof.

Check your air filter

Many car problems occur when the air filters are clogged or when they fit loosely. Air filters block out dust, pollen, and other pollutants to keep your engine healthy. When the air filter is clogged, it can reduce the flow of air to the engine, depriving your vehicle of performance, reducing performance and fuel economy. It is recommended to change the air filter every 19,000 km.

Check your tire pressure regularly

Tire pressure can affect fuel consumption. It also affects comfort and handling. Your car's owner's manual will give you the recommended tire pressures given in the owner's manual. In general, the tire pressure check should be done every week.

Clean the exterior of your engine

Cleaning your car's exterior engine is just as important as keeping the interior engine clean. If not cleaned properly, even small debris in the wrong place can damage your engine. For example, while checking the brake fluid, some grease may drip off. This can damage the brake. So be sure to check your brake fluid level at least once a month.

Protect your headlights

Turn on the headlights once a month when parking in front of a level surface to verify that both headlights are working properly and are properly positioned. Visually check both turn signals by walking around your car and looking at the parking lights. You can even ask a friend to stand behind the car while you apply the brakes to make sure the brake lights are working.

Check your battery

Your car battery is one of the most important components it needs to function. The car battery is responsible for providing a large amount of electrical power to the starter, engine, and other electronic accessories in the vehicle. Extreme temperatures affect battery performance, so regular battery tests ensure that the battery works when needed.

Change your spark plugs

Spark plugs can affect the efficiency of your car's engine. You are responsible for igniting the air and gas mixture that ultimately powers your vehicle. If the spark plugs are not working properly, the engine will lose power and will not run at its optimum performance. Have a specialist check your spark plugs so they can be replaced if they are faulty.

Let your tires spin and balance

Tire rotation is important to keep your vehicle safe and running. It gives your vehicle faster steering response and of course a smoother ride. By rotating the tires, you can compensate for wear and tear and extend the life of your tires. Be sure to check your car's tire pressure once a month and even before long trips or when carrying an extra load in your car. Your car manual will tell you how much air pressure your car tires need.

Make sure your cooling system is working

Your car's cooling system and radiator must be clean in order for them to work efficiently and effectively. With normal wear and tear, your car's radiator forms a deposit that can interfere with the cooling system. With a radiator flush, you can keep your cooling system in shape quickly and inexpensively. You can check your vehicle's owner's manual to see if you need to flush the radiator once a year or every two years.

Know the meaning of the different warning lights.

Almost all cars have sophisticated warning light and sensor systems that can tell you everything from if you forgot to put the fuel cap back on to the fact that one of your tires is running low.