• 2 years ago

Whether you just bought a brand new car or have been driving your favorite one for long, some car care can help your car be the best of its potential. Here is a checklist of tips for your car to be in its optimal condition.

Acquaint yourself with the car owner's manual:

In our busy schedules, most us of forget to make efforts to know more about the gadgets/products we have invested in. The car owner's manual helps you understand your car better and alerts you on the time frame for periodic checks and maintenance that your car needs.

1. Inspect your vehicle regularly:

Take a casual walk around your vehicle at least once every week and inspect your car and look for body damage. You should inspect tyres, test every lock and window.

2. Check your tyres monthly:

A lot runs on your tyres, they bear the complete weight of the Machine,

Check if they are inflated just right and the correct tire pressure maintained. Tyre pressure can impact the fuel economy. It also affects comfort and handling. Your car’s owner manual will have the recommended tyre pressure mentioned for your reference. Ensure the spare tyre is present in the car and is in perfect condition.

3. Change oil and oil filter on schedule:

Check your engine’s oil level as an integral part of your basic car maintenance routine. It’s also critical to look at the color of the oil. It shouldn’t be black. The dark color usually indicates the presence of contaminants, excessive heat, the addition of chemical additives or even worse, sludge. Your owner’s manual tells you the frequency of oil change.

The mechanical moving parts in your car’s engine need correct oil levels to be safe from damages caused by friction.

4. Replace air filter on requirement:

The engine takes in fuel and air in the cylinders and burns them to produce power that runs your car. But air and fuel go into the cylinders pulling along dust, grim and impurities that can be destructive for engine components. The car’s air filter is therefore critical and you may either wash the air filter & wipe the air box, or perhaps vacuum clean it if you have one at regular intervals. It’s recommended that you replace your air filter every 12,000 miles.

5. Inspect all fluids:

When the engine cools down, open the hood and remove the oil dipstick. Clean the dipstick thoroughly and put it back again. When you pull it out now, you’ll notice the oil is up to a certain level. Check and see whether the oil is at the correct level. While doing so, also check the fluid level of your Power steering, Car brake fluid, Coolant, Windshield washer fluid. Also, check the transmission fluid level after warming up your car.

6. Examine belts and hoses in the engine bay:

Check the hoses and belts for any signs of wear. The belts are manufactured from rubber or other polymers, they wear a lot owing to usage. So it’s important to check these belts regularly to inspect for visible hairline cracks or any change in their integrity. Inspect the state of both your serpentine belt or V-belt and your timing belt.

7. Listen and feel for brake issues:

Drive better, Listen and feel for brake issues. Start today by taking a look at your acceleration and braking habits. When you drive below the speed limit and avoid sudden stops, it will help you stay safer, save money on fuel, and help your car last longer. The brake dust on your car contains iron, grime, dirt, carbon content and other particles that settle on the wheels. Clean it off to avoid severe stains on your wheel that these particles can leave on exposure to sunlight.

8. Replace wiper blades as needed:

Check your wipers when the rainy season is approaching and get them replaced if needed. Your car’s glass can get scratches and obstruct your view of the road if you don't clean the windshield and use damaged wipers. This may even rise to a necessity to replace your windshield.

9. Remove battery corrosion:

Do regular battery testing and remove battery corrosion to ensure good battery performance.

10. Lookout for warning lights:

Learn what each of your car’s warning lights means and how to fix it. Your owner’s manual can be of great help here. If any light flashes and you can’t immediately pinpoint and fix the problem, take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic right away.

Carry a tool kit. A set of tools can come in handy and will give you choices that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Although there are some things that you can fix in your car yourself, there are times when the car’s condition demands professional expertise, take your car to a trusted car service center in such a case. https://www.servicegeni.in helps you find the best Car service center in your neighborhood.

Stay connected to know more about the various warning lights of your car in our next blog.