Regular maintenance for the car can increase and enhance its lifespan as well as its resale value once it is time to sell. This will save on money due to the long life of the car and saves on repair bills/auto services in the future.
Master basic maintenance tasks, like testing your tyre pressure or replacing a blown fuse, keep your vehicle roadworthy. Finally, buff and wax your paint job to give it protection from road salt and the elements.
Battery
Car batteries deliver power to the electric parts that allow your vehicle to start and run. You can avoid having to call a tow truck and spending money on a new battery if you maintain your battery well-enough. Keep an eye on battery health to prevent having to spend any time or money fixing it some day down the road.
To keep the battery in good fit and last longer, take these actions: Check its fluid level. Keep it clean from dust. Clean the battery terminal with water mixed with baking soda. Keep the battery charged. Drive car regularly. Or use a trickle charger.
If it gets extremely hot, park your car in a garage or shaded area, since a battery will drain quickly in extreme temperatures, especially if you leave the lights or other electronics running. Also, if you’re going to drive long distances, take a battery maintainer with you. It’s more expensive than buying a set of new batteries for your car but considerably less frustrating than having one dead vehicle sitting on the side of the road!
Fluids
The right amount and type of fluids, as well as the right fluids in the right compartments, are critical to keeping your car functioning properly by cooling it, lubricating the pistons and making sure all the right parts work together to move your car down the road. Checking and changing them on a regular basis will help your car last longer, run better, and maintain its value.
Engine oil, radiator fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid must also be inspected and replaced on a regular basis to avoid overheating, damage, and breakdown – and this type of check is easy and quick and a wonderful way to avoid costly overheating, damage or breakdown.
Never use any fluid or oil other than those recommended by the manufacturer when changing fluids; switching from a car’s recommended differential fluid to, say, automatic transmission fluid could destroy the differential on a rear-wheel drive vehicle! Remind yourself if you happen to be replacing fluid in a vehicle that involves a fluid with a particular environmental condition that might affect its performance – such as extreme temperatures, humidity or altitude – and perform what you can in climate-controlled atmosphere that mimics the car’s environment as much as possible (always park on a flat surface; this helps when it comes to taking those dipsticks, too!
Filters
Filters and fluids are not glamorous, but they are vital to your car. If your vehicle begins behaving erratically, don’t overlook the possibility of a dirty filter or tainted fluid – and make sure to stay on top of the schedule for manufacturer-recommended maintenance.
The absence of dirt or other impurities entering into areas that shouldn’t be through the usage of clean and properly serviced filters or fluids averts the incidence of unscheduled maintenance procedures or unforeseen repair costs; it also prolongs the life of the car and the engine resulting in better fuel economy and performance. On the other hand, filter inspections and replacements can avoid costly repairs in the future extending the lifespan of the part and this is a seemingly small maintenance protocol but its implications can have a big impact on our ability to perform better as car owners – small details matter. If you are thinking about having your air, oil, transmission, fuel, and cabin filters replaced, contact Nyhus Family Sales today! Your wallet will thank you too.
Tires
Your tyres are the only parts of your car that actually contact the road and are therefore the most important part to safe driving, handling and fuel efficiency. When tyres are worn down or under-inflated, traction, the friction between you and the road, is reduced substantially, you become more likely to hydroplane in wet conditions, and you could be putting yourself at risk in difficult driving situations.
Tire maintenance often is given short shrift but is a sure-fire way to significantly improve your vehicle’s overall safety, as well as your own. Inspect your tires visually every month, and especially before a long trip. Buy a tire-pressure gauge and refer to the vehicle owner’s manual or inside the vehicle on the driver door jamb to determine the recommended air pressure for your tires. Rotate them on a regular basis to avoid uneven wear, increase their life, and increase fuel economy by up to 15 per cent!
