Other than property, a car is likely to be one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. Most people grow attached to their vehicle and want it to last as long as possible. With this in mind, here are some of the best maintenance tips to keep your vehicle running strong for as long as possible.
Drive Carefully and Smoothly
When it comes to extending the life of vehicles, one of the best tips actually regards driving. The more you rev the engine, the more you drive in the wrong gear, the more you brake suddenly, and the more you steer roughly, the less likely the car is to last. Instead, drive smoothly, practice gentle braking, and go easy on the vehicle. In the long-term, it will thank you for your kindness.
Change Filters
Just like the air conditioning in your home, it’s vital to replace the air and oil filters regularly. If you get your car serviced, this is probably something the professionals do for you. If not, it’s a relatively simple task, so you can save some money doing it yourself.
Read the Handbook
With regards to the filters and other maintenance tips, too many people ignore the handbook for their vehicle when it has some of the most important information of all. For example, the handbook will explain when to get the car serviced, how to clean and change the filters, and how to maintain the vehicle in other ways. Since the manufacturer makes the car, they know the best advice to keep it running strong.
Top Up the Fluids
Next, your vehicle needs fluids to keep running, and this responsibility falls to you. Once every two weeks or so, check the engine oil level and the coolant reservoir and the windscreen washer container. Although you may have seen that washing up liquid works well as a windscreen washer, it also contains lots of additives like salt that cause damage to the paintwork on your vehicle.
Get a Service
You can do all of the maintenance tips in this guide, but it still wouldn’t replace a check from experienced eyes. Professional mechanics in Toowoomba will check the following:
- Tyres
- Suspension
- Filters
- Lights
- Brakes
- Steering
- Seat belts
- Windscreen
- Spark plugs
If they spot a problem, they’ll recommend a fix before it turns into something major. Considering we trust our vehicles with our lives, a service allows you peace of mind when driving around.
Check Tyres
When it comes to the tyres, you need to check two things – pressure and tread depth. Let’s not forget, the tyres are the ONLY thing touching the ground at any one time. Therefore, they need attention. Check the pressure of your tyres regularly and review the tread depth of your tire to assure grip when on the road. As soon as a tyre lacks in these areas, you’ll lose stability and grip (this could lead to an accident!).
Keep Weight to a Minimum
Another tip for vehicle maintenance is to keep the weight of everything in the vehicle as low as possible. If you’re treating the car as a dumping ground, you’ll have to refuel more often, and you can cause unnecessary strain on the suspension and brakes.
If in doubt, visit a professional for servicing and keep your vehicle running strong for years to come. Also, don’t be afraid to read the handbook for advice regarding the filters, tyre pressures, and other maintenance tips.
