Anyone who has a car needs to take good care of it. Keeping your car in good condition is important for many reasons. Not least of all is the fact that a car in good repair is less likely to fail on you. Reducing the risk of breakdowns, as well as lessening the chance of being in an accident, are more than enough reasons to look after your car.
However, if that hasn’t convinced you, there’s more. It is also a well-documented fact that taking good care of your car saves you money in the long term. It is always cheaper to keep on top of maintenance than to have to take your car to the garage to get something fixed.
There are plenty of road users who do not take the precautions necessary for looking after a vehicle. The fact is, such precautions are so few and so simple that it is easy to keep on top of. All it takes is a little effort and a good memory. Let’s have a look at the top things you should be doing to take care of your car.
Get To Know The Manual
Your car’s manual is a treasure trove of information about its maintenance. In that manual should be all sorts of information on how to look after your particular model. This is important to bear in mind, as cars differ from model to model. While there are some general tips which apply to all vehicles, the specifics depend on your particular car. Ensure that you get to know your manual very well. While you’re at it, consider investing in some decent auto repair manuals. These can be invaluable when you need to know the answer to something fast. Particularly if you are in the middle of nowhere when tragedy occurs.
The Basics
Now on to the basic aspects of looking after your vehicle. There are certain parts of the car which deserve more attention, more frequently. Yet, very often these are the exact parts which are most overlooked. One of the most important parts is the tyres. Your tyres should be inflated to a certain pressure, measured by psi. What exact pressure depends on your model – and again, you should check your manual for the answer to that. Whatever pressure is required, you should ensure your tyres are kept to it as much as possible. In an ideal world, you would not leave your tyres unchecked for more than about five to six weeks. Tyres with poor pressure are more likely to cause incidents on the road due to poor handling or punctures.
Another vital check to carry out is the oil and water. If you are unsure about how to check these, then get a professional to demonstrate it, as it is really important. If your oil is low, it can cause any number of problems for your engine, so it’s important to keep it topped up. Similarly, if the water is too low, your vehicle may burn out during use. Getting this fixed would be considerably more costly than just keeping the levels topped up.
Keep An Eye Out
Last but not least, remember to keep an eye (and ear) out for any problems. Even the slightest thing amiss might lead to a big problem, so be vigilant. It is better to catch any problems as early as possible, so you can get them fixed.
