How to Maintain a Car Properly. What Needs to Be Changed in It and After How Many Kilometers?

When you buy a new or used car, you automatically consider its maintenance. It is very important to keep your costs under control, so maintenance must come first to enjoy your car in the long run.

Many drivers have encountered major damage to their cars because they did not pay attention to the maintenance operation. Another case is that some drivers cannot afford to maintain their cars properly, because they have chosen a model that is too expensive for their pocket, and now they are just looking at it.

It is very important to choose a car that fits our budget because maintaining premium models costs money. We are not saying that they are not beautiful or that they are not good, we are only saying that any car must be purchased if we allow ourselves to maintain it.

When to change the car's air/pollen filters

Because we live in polluted cities, it is important to change the air filters in time, that is if we have reached 25,000 kilometers. Some drivers may say it's too early, but in addition to the health of the car, you need to consider your own.

The air/pollen filter gets clogged because it collects dust, insects, or hair. All these impurities also reduce the airflow that the air conditioning system pushes into the passenger compartment. This means a weaker cooling in summer or a misting of the windshield in the cold season.

You will not want to breathe air that passes through a dust filter and you will want to avoid the unpleasant odor that it could emit. So, if you feel that bad smell when you turn on the fan or the air conditioner, you should know that it is because of the air filter that needs to be changed.

How many kilometers does the oil change?

The oil must also be changed, as must the oil filter, and the manufacturers recommend that this be between 8,000 and 12,000 kilometers. Moreover, it is recommended to check the oil level every two weeks, if you want to keep the car in very good condition.

Of course, the oil change is done at different intervals on different brands of cars. So the change is made depending on the type of oil in the installation, the type of service provided by the vehicle, or the type of engine.

We know that synthetic oils work at a wider range of temperatures, so they will last longer than conventional oils. The way you drive your car also dictates the oil change, so if you have a sporty driving style, you need to know that your car will need more attention.

When you need to change the coolant

The water pump must be kept in perfect condition, as its failure can cause major problems to the engine. For those who don't know, the water pump has the role of regulating the amount of coolant that reaches the engine. In short, the engine is always supplied with fresh, cool liquid from the radiator.

As you can see, it is a very important component, so you have to make sure that it works at full capacity. So you need to use the best coolant you can find.

It is recommended to change the coolant after 50,000 km to keep the water pump in perfect condition and to prevent corrosion. We are not saying that this guarantees that no defects will occur, but that you can avoid the defects for a longer time.

Symptoms of a faulty water pump:

• Coolant leak (antifreeze)

• Drum detached

• Engine overheated

• White smoke from the radiator

When the water pump fails, you can repair or replace it. The repair can be quite complicated, so some pumps can no longer be saved. Our advice is to replace the water pump with a new one, as this will prevent any major damage to the engine!

How do you know when a spark plug needs to be replaced?

Spark plugs are very important components because they cause the fuel mixture in the internal combustion engines to ignite. They have a cylindrical shape and are composed of a central electrode that is insulated with porcelain and covered with a metal housing, which has a side electrode at the end.

The electric current is sent to the coil by a cable, reaches the central electrode of the spark plug, and then "jumps" to the side electrode to produce the spark.

Of course, depending on how they are made and depending on the material used to make the tip, the spark plugs are of several types:

• Iridium

• Nickel

• Copper

• Silver

• Platinum

• Double platinum

Spark plugs can contain up to 4 external electrodes used for grounding when the internal electrode sends current through its tip.

What are the symptoms of a broken spark plug:

• It emits an unpleasant odor in the engine area

• The car may be shaky when it starts or stops when it has been stopped for a long time.

• It shows signs of wear, it may be oily or the color has darkened a lot

• The check-engine indicator light comes on board

• The car is not accelerating properly

You should know that the spark plugs are replaced when their term is approaching the end and it is done according to the car model, but also to the manufacturer's recommendations.

When The power steering oil needs to be changed

Generally, you need to change the power steering fluid or oil every 50,000 km or once every 4 years. However, if the oil liquid disappears or is contaminated, it is a good idea to check the car with an authorized service center.

Main causes of power steering oil damage:

• Overheating

• Intense power steering (dictated by an aggressive driving style)

• Damage to system integrity

• The liquid does not comply with the technical requirements of your car

• Color change (caused by box or pump wear, or contamination with older oil)

You should know that the oil has a hydraulic role, but also a cooling role. So to avoid heating the power steering pump or damaging it, you need to change the oil so that it loses its properties over time.

When and how many kilometers do you change the brake pads and discs

After 50,000 kilometers you should know that the braking system also requires a thorough check. Specialists say that it is good to live in the brake pads every 50,000 km traveled.

Signs that you need to change the car's brake pads:

• It creaked when you pressed the brake pedal

• The brake pedals are positioned lower than normal

• Vibrate when trying to stop the car

• Black dust on the rims, in larger quantities than usual

Brake discs also require a change between 40,000 and 50,000, although this figure differs greatly depending on the manufacturer and the material from which they are made.

Some discs change after 100,000 kilometers or discs that do not need to be changed, such as carbon-ceramic ones. Some manufacturers say that they last "a lifetime", but they also need to be monitored regularly.

A weak car battery needs to be replaced

The car battery is also very important because if it is discharged we can not start the car at all. Cars have a lot of consumers (some cars even come with 2 batteries) so it is normal for the batteries to run out.

The car's electronic system is becoming more and more advanced, so the car's battery is the first to suffer. Of course, the battery life also speaks for itself, so be very careful and monitor carefully!

When should you change the distribution change

We end this article with the distribution of the car, which is also essential in the smooth operation of a car.

You can prevent its failure by periodically changing the distribution kit:

• 60,000–90,000 km for belt distribution

• 180,000–210,000 km for chain distribution

Even if you do not use the car, you have to change the distribution after a certain period (4–5 years), because the materials deteriorate over time.

For those who do not know, the distribution is an auxiliary system of internal combustion engines, which has the role of correlating the filling of the engine cylinders with fuel mixture but also to evacuate the flue gas after combustion.