How To Keep Up With Your Car’s Regular Maintenance

Did you know that maintaining a regular car maintenance schedule can help extend the life of your vehicle?

It is easy to overlook regular maintenance when it comes to keeping your car in tip-top shape. You’d rather do a quick wash and polish before getting behind the wheel than spend a little more time replacing the wipe blades - am I right?

Regular car maintenance can benefit your vehicle’s performance and safety, as well as your wallet - regardless if you have just purchased a new vehicle or have been driving an old favourite for a while now.

Here are 7 simple car maintenance steps you can perform on your own to keep your vehicle in great shape:

1. Check the fluid levels in your car regularly to ensure they are always at the proper level.

The oil in your car is the most important fluid because it keeps everything running smoothly. Most cars have a dipstick in the engine bay that allows you to check the oil levels. If the reading is low, it may indicate that your engine is leaking or burning oil, which can cause engine damage if not repaired. Coolant also known as antifreeze is the other fluid that needs to be monitored. It prevents the engine from overheating by absorbing heat and allowing it to escape through the radiator.

You only need to check the coolant every 80467 kilometres or so, but knowing how to fill it up in case of a leak or other problem is essential. Never check the coolant in a hot engine. Coolant can spray and cause burns when under pressure. A car’s brakes are hydraulic, which means the fluid connects the pedal to the brakes. Most cars have a brake fluid tank that resides in the engine bay, and all you have to do to check it is to look at the fluid level and colour.

Different types of brake fluid come in a variety of colours, but they should all be clear and not cloudy or dark. The most important thing for your vehicle is fuel - but don’t overlook the other fluids. Another point to note is when it rains outside and your windscreen wipers are old or missing, the wiper’s bare metal arm can scratch your window glass. Make a plan so you don’t forget to change the oil, and stay alert for unusual sounds, smells, or vibrations.

2. Keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear on your car’s belts and hoses.

A broken belt or hose can cause the engine to overheat, the power steering to fail, or the electrical charging system to fail - a coolant and heating system. Hoses are the weakest structural component of the cooling system. Coolant-recovery tank - if the tank is low after being repeatedly filled, there could be a leak.

Examine the surface for parallel cracks around bends (caused by ozone), a hardened glassy surface (caused by heat damage), or abrasion damage (hose is rubbing). When the engine is hot, do not remove the radiator cap because the hot coolant will be under pressure. The upper radiator hose fails the most frequently, followed by the water pump bypass hose and the outlet heater hose. Almost all modern cars and trucks use a single serpentine belt with numerous grooves to power the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. Older vehicles may have separate V-belts to power the accessories.

When a belt appears to be overly worn, it should be replaced. Many new composite belts do not exhibit wear until they fail.

3. Change the oil and filter in your car every 5000 kilometres or as directed by the manufacturer.

Many vehicles have a built-in service reminder that alerts the driver when an oil change is required. Some will even indicate whether or not the oil level is low. However, it is still a good idea to check the fluid yourself every other fill-up. Even if the car is parked for an extended period of time, oil degrades over time. Check your oil level at least once a month, or more frequently if possible.

With the engine turned off, open the hood and locate the dipstick. You should add oil if the oil level falls below the minimum. If your oil level is consistently low, the engine is either burning it, or it is leaking. Pay close attention to the colour of the old oil, it should be brown or black.

However, if it has a light, milky appearance, it could indicate that coolant is leaking into the engine. If you notice either of these conditions, take your vehicle to the mechanic. Even if you don’t drive your car frequently, your oil should be changed regularly. Oil loses effectiveness as it ages, and excess moisture will not be removed if the engine is not sufficiently warmed. The weight of your car’s motor oil is printed on the cap where you add oil in newer models.

Synthetic oil is designed to be more effective at resisting breakdown and withstanding high temperatures. For most drivers, it isn't worth upgrading from conventional oil to synthetic. However, there are situations where that resistance to breakdown can help prolong the life of your engine. If you live in a region with extremely cold winters or extremely hot summers, synthetic oil is your best bet.

4. Ensure that you examine the tyre pressure and tread wear on your car.

Tyres can deteriorate quickly and must be replaced frequently, especially if they are old. It's important to know the signs of a worn tyre and replace it as soon as you see it. The correct tyre pressure – often different for the front and rear tyres – is usually found on a label inside one of the front door openings. Driving on worn or damaged tyres is not only dangerous, but it's also illegal. Damage to the tyre's sidewall or tread, such as cuts or bulges, may render your tyres to be unroadworthy. If your car has a full-sized spare tyre, add it into the rotation by changing it out with one of the vehicle’s four tyres.

5. Carefully check your car's brakes often to make sure they are working well.

Brakes are one of the most important parts of a vehicle and should be checked regularly. When inspecting your car brakes, you should look for several things, including whether the pads are worn down and whether the fluid in the system is clean. There are two ways to test your car's brakes - the pedal test and the visual test.

Replace the pads and rotors if there are any visible signs of wear or damage. The general rule is that you should replace your brake pads once every 15,000 miles.

6. Inspect the lights on your car and replace any that are out.

The lights on your car, truck or SUV are of vital importance. When a light (such as a headlight or taillight) on your vehicle stops working, replacing the old bulb with a new one is usually very simple. Most auto parts stores carry a comprehensive selection of vehicle lights.

In some cars, you access the taillights simply by pulling the socket out from inside the trunk. The entire housing lifts away from the car after the thumbscrew and Phillips head screw are removed. The headlights are accessed from beneath the hood. The plastic bulb cover rotates counterclockwise and is removed with your hand. To remove the bulb from the socket, hold the socket with one hand and pull the bulb out with the other.

If the filament is broken, then the bulb needs to be replaced. Once the light is removed, it unplugs much like a standard taillight bulb. Access to the side marker lights is under the front fender. Inspection of the bulb is the same as with the others. Check to see if the filament is broken; if so, a replacement is required. The list of exterior bulbs to keep an eye on can be found in the Focus owner's manual.

7. Ensure your car's battery is working well by having it checked regularly.

Here are some important things you should know about your car battery's lifespan, operation, and maintenance. Weather can affect how much power your battery retains. A little DIY maintenance, such as using baking soda to clean any corrosion, can help you extend the life of your battery. Car batteries can last for 3-5 years, depending on driving habits and weather conditions.

To clear out any corrosion, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water and use a strong brush to scrub away the corrosion. Overheating or overcharging are the most common causes of swollen batteries. If your battery is swollen, have it removed and replaced by a mechanic as soon as possible. Most car batteries will last at least two weeks without being charged. If you intend on not driving your car for longer than that, you'll want to start it up once a week to recharge the battery.

The more times you need to recharge a battery that is completely dead, the more wear and tear you put on your car battery.

Conclusion

These seven simple steps will help you keep your vehicle in great shape and save you money on future repairs. If you ever have any questions about vehicle maintenance, don't hesitate to ask your local mechanic for advice or you can check out a reliable resource like our Car Research section on our blog.

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