“Owning a car and driving yourself is a privilege that gives you independence and freedom,” said Chrome Auto Emblems. However, your car needs some maintenance for it to keep running smoothly. This means that you will spend less money on gas and operation expenses. The last thing you want is to get stranded on the roadside on your way to work or school, only to discover later that the problem could have been avoided by following these five simple car maintenance tips:
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Changing the Engine Oil Regularly
The easiest way to maintain any motor vehicle is by changing its oil regularly. Auto manufacturers often advise replacing the oil after covering 3000 to 5000 miles. Replace the dirty engine oil with the right grade of engine oil recommended by your manufacturer. Take your car to a garage and have the oil changed with refined oil. Many technicians will indicate when to change your oil next on a sticker placed on your windshield.
Your technician will also most likely check your air filter. Recommendations on when to replace your air filter will vary. Some technicians recommend after every 3,000 miles, while some auto manufacturers state that you can go for 45,000 miles before you replace the air filter. Your car manual will dictate when to replace. However, ensure that your car has a clean air filter at all times. Experts say that cars with dirty air filters tend to consume 10% more fuel.
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Check the Oil Level
If this car maintenance basic is neglected, it can cause major and expensive repairs. Oil is the lifeblood of your cars’ engine. It removes contaminates and dirt, lubricates moving parts, and displaces heat. When the oil level gets too low, your engine can get damaged. Always check the oil level before you operate your car. Park your car on a flat surface like in your garage, turn off the engine, open the hood, and support it safely with the propping rod. You should have a clean paper towel or rag before you check the engine oil. The engine will most likely be hot if you just turned it off, so be careful. Locate the oil dipstick which is often near the front part of the engine, and has a T-shaped handle that is labeled oil. Pull the oil dipstick and wipe the oil from the end using the rag. Repeat this procedure 2 to 3 times to get the correct reading. It is always advisable to maintain the level of oil between the hash-marks that are at the end part of the dipstick. If the oil is below the lowest hash mark, add more oil through a larger hole on the top part of the engine.
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Maintain Your Car Battery
Your car battery stores the needed energy to start the engine. Once the engine starts running, the alternator recharges the battery so that it can start next time. You can maintain your car battery by regularly checking the water level (if you are using a wet battery), keeping the battery strongly secured to prevent it from vibrating, and keeping the connections and terminals clean and tight.
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Have the Cooling System Checked
The cooling system of your car maintains your engine at an optimum temperature level by pumping coolant from the radiator to the engine. Your mechanic will maintain the cooling system by inspecting the hoses for wear and tear, checking the coolant level in your cars’ reservoir tank, and providing a flush-and-fill service to drain the dirty fluid and replace it with new coolant.
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Have the Braking System Checked
Many cars today have drum brakes in the back and disc brakes in the front. However, all brakes rely on friction to slow down. The friction is supplied by either a brake shoe or a brake pad to slow down and eventually stop your car. Disc brakes use pads to grab the spinning rotor or disc and stop the wheel. Drum brakes, on the other hand, have wheel cylinders that push the brake shoe against the spinning drum.
Consult your mechanic if your brakes give some warning signs. For instance, a red brake warning light means that your hydraulic system is imbalanced; a spongy or low brake pedal can mean that your hydraulic system has air. Although some brake sounds are normal, continuous squeals, chirps, and grinding sounds can mean that you need to get new brake shoes or pads. However, if you discover anything out of normal with your brakes, ensure you have them checked.