Keeping your car optimized and running smoothly should be one of your priorities as a car owner. You want to keep it in its best shape so you can get the best out of it, especially when you’re paying a fortune for it. Keep your car maintained by following these three essential maintenance tips that every car owner should know.
Clean Your Car Thoroughly
This might be something you are already doing routinely. Cleaning your car increases not only its probable lifespan but also makes it run smoothly. However, sometimes you have to do a little more than just cleaning the exterior of your car.
It’s wise to look into the interior parts of the car and give them a proper cleaning at least every three months. There are also some hard to reach places such as air ducts. Some ways that you can clean it yourself is to spray compressed air into the vents or use a strong vacuum to suck all the dust away. However, it can be quite time-consuming and you might not be able to clean the deeper parts of the ducts.
Ultimately, air duct cleaning for your car is something that you should leave to the hired professionals. For optimal cleaning, you can bring your car to its manufacturer at least every three months to have it checked and cleaned. Some manufacturers would even offer free cleaning and check-ups for the first few years of your car’s life span. This can help increase your car’s lifespan well beyond its expected years and also keep it looking beautiful throughout the years.
Change Oil and Its Filters
Changing oil filters is one of the best ways you can optimize your car. It keeps the engine running smoothly and stops it from clogging.
The best time for an oil change is every three months or every 3,000 miles of travel. You can delay it a little longer than that, but by doing so, you risk hurting the performance of your car. In worse case scenarios, you might end up damaging it completely. For cars that are frequently used or are often used on dusty roads, it’s better that you change your oil and filter much sooner than recommended.
Changing the oil and the filter of your car can be done by your manufacturer. Some offer it for free for the first few years of your car’s purchase. While some might charge you for it. Shops that sell the oil of your car may even offer to change the oil for you.
However, if you plan to do it yourself make sure that you are familiar with the parts required. Be aware of what kind of oil you need and where the filter and the plug are located. From there it can be a simple as draining the oil, adding the new oil, and then closing it all up. If it’s your first time, it’s suggested that you do it around a professional or someone who has done it before. Be sure to inquire if you can do it yourself, as some cars may need extra machinery when it comes to changing oil.
Checking and Changing the Battery
The battery of your car is one of the important parts of the vehicle. It powers many of your car’s primary functions such as air conditioning, the dashboard, the GPS, and many others. Modern cars may even have auxiliary functions that are very reliant on the car’s battery.
Checking your car’s battery can be as simple as checking the dashboard for signs of the battery running low. However, you really don’t want it to get to that, because at that point, the battery may be dangerously low.
Make sure to always check the battery every week. See if it’s prone to vibrating or if there are any leakages. A vibrating battery means that it isn’t installed properly so make sure that the locks are in the proper position. Leakages are a whole another problem and it is highly suggested that you replace the battery immediately. Most car batteries run on a warranty for at least a year so you can have it changed for free. However, if it is beyond the warranty, you’re going to get a new one. They are typically expensive, so make sure you always have the funds to buy one, as the battery is one of the most essential parts of your car.
If you keep your car maintained, it will be with you for years. Proactive maintenance means that you can catch problems before they get worse. This will save you a fortune for the maintenance of your car. Additionally, make sure that you are financially prepared to own a car because even if you follow all these essential tips, cars still inevitably depreciate overtime.
