Every man-made thing requires maintenance and care. Maintenance guarantees longevity and fuss free operation. And the bigger your asset is the frequent maintenance it demands.
For instance your car, which is the costliest asset next to your house, always needs to be well maintained to keep you going. Car maintenance can be done by keeping a few aspects in mind which ensure your vehicle continues nonstop working irrespective of the seasonal changes.
1.Clean car
The first step towards maintenance of a car is to clean it regularly. Keeping it tidy from inside and outside is what helps keep your car look new every time. Washing should be done by specific car washers so that they do not leave any stain or harm the car’s paint or structure. Do a thorough cleaning of the cabin via vacuum cleaner at least once a month. Floor mats should be cleaned once a week if the car is used for daily commuting. If you have taken it for some off-road stuff in swampy conditions, it’s better to get it cleaned asap as the accumulated mud might affect your car’s parts and paint.
2.Timely oil change
Unlike the earlier assumption and recommendation that car oil needs to be changed after every 5000 kms, most of the modern cars now prescribe a range of 10,000 km – 12,000 km before changing it. To know the condition of oil you do not need an expert, you can simply do it yourself. One of the ways is to check the recommended oil level by the manufacturer. Moreover, you can use a dipstick to know the oil level. You can view the level on the dipstick and can add more oil if it looks less than the prescribed level. If it looks dirty, time to change it.
3.Tire pressure monitoring
Every morning before you get ready to step in the car, a slight overlook at all the four wheels will ensure you continue to travel, uninterruptedly. If the tyres are not properly inflated there will be unevenness while driving plus there will be fast wear and tear of the tyres. If overinflated, the tyres will affect the handling of the car and if underinflated, they would reduce the fuel economy and increase steering effort. Ensure the tyre pressure is maintained as per the recommendations. Do take care of the tyre tread pattern and its alignment as a worn out tyre is most likely to slip in case of sudden braking and on wet surfaces.
4.Wiper Blades
The wiper blades are used to keep your windshield clean. Once the wipers start to make squeaking sound or are not cleaning the screen effectively, do not waste time in replacing them. It’s not about less effective cleaning, the worn out wiper blades will eventually trap dirt and rub it on the glass making the view hazy over time. This spreads the incoming flash on to your screen and affects visibility adversely, especially at night. So it’s better to replace the wiper blades now then to replace the windscreen as a whole.
5.Timely servicing & inspection
Never miss a scheduled service! Keep a strict vigilance of the type of fluid leaked under your car or a new oil stain in your parking lot. Keep checking your fluid levels every once in a while. Since nobody knows your car better than you, observe the noise that car makes at the start and at every gear change. Also, notice the sound on braking, acceleration and at low and high speeds. Pay heed to any warning signals that your car’s on board diagnostic points out. Ensure there is no warning light left blinking without being addressed. Before lending you hefty bills, the car shows signs which should not to be overlooked if you want to continue your drive smoothly and efficiently.
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