When you are a car owner, you need to learn how to maintain your car in order for it to run perfectly as well as be a safe thing to drive. Something that you should always keep in mind is that it is always better to maintain your car than having it break down and buying a new one. Here are some car maintenance things you need to do on a regular basis to keep your car healthy and running.
Check and Replace Your Engine Oil Regularly
Obviously, it is in your best interest to have your car running smoothly all the time and for that to happen the first thing you need to do is make sure that you are checking and changing your engine oil regularly. What a lot of people don’t know is that you should check your oil on a weekly basis. Make sure that your car is warm and the engine is off while you are doing it. Once your oil has set you will want to remove the plug and use your dipstick to check the oil levels. It is best to have your oil levels on the two marks that are marked on your dipstick. Changing your oil doesn’t have to be complicated and hard, all you need to do is be aware of the steps and that you are doing them carefully. That is done by removing your drain plug and draining the oil, then you want to unscrew the filter and empty it out. When that is done, make sure that you are putting best-quality oil in your car and that you screw everything back tightly. If you aren’t confident in your oil changing skills there are a lot of videos online you can look at.
Car Battery Maintenance
Changing your car battery is something that is one of the simplest things you have to do on a car. All you will need to do is remove the cover, then you will want to discount the negative cables and then move the clips. Afterwards you need to do the whole procedure over again but with the positive clamp. After you take all the little screws out you will be able to remove the old batter. Once you have your new battery in, you will want to return everything to how it was. Take your old battery and take it to the place where you bought the new one and they will take care of the recycling part.
Get Your Car Detailed
Even though people often get their car detailed, it is something that shouldn’t be put off. Detailing your car will not only make it look nicer, it will also protect the paint and different parts of your car from dirt and UV rays. The best way to do it is to choose professional car washing and get everything done instead of doing it on your own. That is because when you are doing it on your own, you can use wrong tools, products and techniques and damage your car.
Always Check Your Fluids Levels
One of the most important maintenance things you can do on your car is checking the fluid levels. The engine compartment is the place where all the fluids are located. There you will be able to dine plastic drums that hold your engine coolant, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid as well as your power steering fluid. All of those fluids are very important for your car. Every time your fluid levels are low, your car will register it and there will be a sign that says low. When you are filling up your fluids make sure that you are pouring them in correct places as well as using the best fluid for your car. Always fill them up to the line that marks it full. Instead of picking the cheapest option look for types that are right for your car to ensure that your car runs as best as it can.
Regularly Check and Replace The Fuses
One of the best ways to ensure that your fuses are working properly is to see if your cigarette lighter is working. There are two fuse boxes in a car. In most cases, one is located where your left knee is on the driver’s seat and the other is inside the engine compartment. Once you find the fuse boxes you will be able to use the diagram on them to find out where the fuse is. If you simply can’t find the fuse or you are confused, you can look in your owner’s manual and find out what you need to do.
Learn How to Patch Up Scratches
Every car owner has experienced walking down to their car and seeing a massive scratch. If the scratches are small and shallow the chances are that you can fix them on your own. All you need to do is clean the scratched area and then you will want to apply the polish to the scratch. When you wax the area, the scratch will be sealed therefore it will no longer be usable.
When you are a car owner you need to realise that maintaining your car is the part of owning it. Never neglect your car, maintaining it is the only way to ensure that you are driving a car that is safe. Maintaining your car will make you appreciate it more in the long run.