When owning a car, you certainly care about maintaining it in the best possible condition for safety and cost savings. For most of us, the car has become a necessity that helps us get things done faster and easier during the day. So we’ll give you tips on what you can do each year and keep your vehicle safe for longer.
Contents
Check tire pressure
It is very important to pay attention to how much the tires on your car are inflated. Tire pressure is something that often varies, and the most common cause is a change in outside temperature. Low tire pressures can impair stability and disrupt braking. In addition, under-inflated tires also affect fuel consumption and reduce their service life, as friction between the tires and the substrate increases when driving, which affects their wear and tear.
Replace worn-out windshield wipers
Remember to check the windshield wipers on your car from time to time as the rubber part is worn, regardless of the manufacturer. Once it begins to deteriorate, it begins to lose elasticity, deform and crack. In this way, the wipers stop having contact with the windshield, do not clean properly and produce annoying sounds. There is no way to “repair” the condition of the wiper. The only solution is to replace them.
Check the lights
Does it ever occur to you to preventively check all the lights? We believe not. However, we certainly advise that a light check becomes part of routine checks. Turn on the lights and see if they all work. Check the signal and position lights on all sides. Approach the wall where you can see the reflection of the light, apply the brake to check the brake lights. Turn the rear body of the vehicle towards the wall, lift the parking brake and check the auxiliary lights. If any of the bulbs is broken, this problem is certainly not complicated or expensive to solve, though we must draw your attention to the fact that there are car models where replacing the bulbs is not a simple process at all, so it is important to leave it to the professionals. However, if you decide that you can repair the lights yourself, it is important that you buy quality parts, such as those offered by SacCityAutoParts.
Check engine oil level
One of the basic checks that should be done regularly is to check the oil level, as too low an oil level can cause serious engine damage. On the other hand, regular oil and filter replacement extend the life of your engine.
There are two reasons that reduce the level of oil in your engine, namely its standard combustion and leakage. The instrument panel light will indicate when it is time to replace the oil. Remember, it is much better for your engine not to refuel but to replace it completely.
Use season-appropriate tires
Keeping a car in the winter can certainly be tiring, but nothing less than getting stuck on your way to your destination. Therefore, it is imperative that you use the right tires in the winter and summer seasons. Don’t be fooled that winter tires can also drive the summer season. Tires that are made for cold weather in the summer quickly deteriorate. And that means lost money for you.
What to check on your car before winter?
Experienced drivers will do everything in time to prepare their car as best they can. Winter can be very unpleasant for drivers, but it can also have consequences on the car.
Timely preparation for the winter days can save a lot of time, money and nerves. So take care of your vehicle and don’t let the coldest season become synonymous with ignition, unlocking, slipping problems…
Even the mildest winter has its challenges – impassable roads, icy and cloudy glass, ignition problems, frozen locks. Therefore, we think that these tips will be useful to you when everything around us is covered with snow and ice.
Repair glasses immediately – Small damage to windshields or other glasses in winter is a big risk due to drastic differences in temperature. Outside, it can be 10 degrees below zero, and in the car about twenty or more above zero. At these temperatures, the glass changes. This means that the glass shrinks and expands, thus causing the cracks to expand and to the extent that they can no longer be repaired.
Antifreeze replacement should be done every two years – Antifreeze loses its properties over time, which means that it has low frost resistance and corrosion protection. If the coolant freezes, the consequences could be catastrophic for the engine and its components.
Brakes in perfect condition – Brakes are of course just as important no matter what the season. However, in winter, slippery asphalt in the event that individual wheels brake unevenly makes it easier to lose control. If the brake oil is more than two years old, it should be replaced.
Snow chains – Chains are no less important. Even if you don’t plan on going for the winter or for the long haul, snow chains can be more than useful in urban environments. Buy chains of appropriate dimensions and place them several times on wheels to practice the procedure. In this case, you will not waste valuable time reading the manual and risk being hit by another vehicle. Please note that chains are not a substitute for winter tires.
Filter Replacement – In addition to all the difficulties that a car’s engine encounters in the winter, dirty filters only aggravate the situation. Fuel or cabin filter if clogged and dirty the filter greatly affects the quality of the air entering the cabin. It develops various microorganisms, and it also prevents the effective degassing of the glass. Quality heating and ventilation are essential requirements for efficient defrosting of glasses. For this reason, replace the cabin filter on time. Be sure to clean the leaves and other dirt from the cabin air intake and check the coolant level.
Conclusion
Body corrosion can impair the appearance of the car, with low temperatures able to completely disable it overnight. Now you know what to do on a car, do not hesitate to do all this as soon as possible.