5 Car Care Tips For Thrifty Drivers
You, along with the many drivers, may have experienced mechanical difficulties occurring with your car. In this kind of situation, it’s only natural to think that your automotive knowledge could use some brushing up. Whether or not you know much about cars or mechanics in general, every driver should learn some basic car care tips which will allow you to enjoy a well-run car, and prolong its lifespan. By following some thrifty tips, and doing proactive car care, you can reduce how much you spend on repairs in future.
Here are some things you can do now, to avoid spending much on your car later on:
- Repair Any Damage Immediately
Regardless of whether your car has only incurred a minor injury, or has been involved in a big accident, auto body repair is important. If you neglect auto body repair, you might be causing yourself higher expenses down the line, but if you let experts check your car immediately, they can be fixing car damage as they see it, fixing even invisible issues. An expert technician can determine how badly your car has been damaged in an accident, and you might be surprised that it could be more serious than it looks. Thus, it is best to repair any dents immediately after a car accident to prevent further damage. For your safety, you must always make sure that all lights such as taillights, turn signals, and headlights are all working, this is particularly important if you intend to drive your car at night.
- Change The Windshield Wipers
If you notice that the windshield wipers are not functioning as they should, don’t delay in getting these replaced or fixed. Damaged wiper blades can affect visibility, especially during snowstorms or heavy rain, and failure to have working wipers could lead to you being in an accident and hurting yourself or someone else. If you’re in an accident caused by your actions, or lack of action in terms of maintaining your car, it could cost you more in insurance premiums.
- Inspect The Oil
Perhaps the easiest way to boost the lifespan of your car is to maintain a good amount of engine oil. You must change the filter and oil according to the instructions indicated in the manual you received with your car. Oil is important as it greases the parts of the car required for it to run in a healthy manner. Failure to maintain good oil levels can cause overheating and expensive car damage.
- Drive Mindfully
You should not only be mindful of your driving during the break-in period, rather, you should drive carefully each time you get behind the wheel. You should not rev the engine when it’s just starting up, to avoid unnecessary wear and tear, particularly if the weather outside is cold. It’s also advised that you should warm up the engine before you drive away. The engine of your car will not operate optimally when it is not at an ideal temperature. Overusing a cold engine could lead to:
- Damaged parts
- Carbon deposits on the cylinder walls
- Oil contamination
- Insufficient fuel combustion
Apply minimal strain on the engine as well as the automatic transmission by switching to neutral when appropriate, specifically at red lights. If you do not do this, the engine continues to work as though it’s still operating, even if it’s stopped. You should also prevent driving at excessively high speeds, and avoid accelerating too quickly, particularly during extremely cold or extremely hot weather. Doing so can damage your engine and lead to frequent repairs.
- Do Regular Maintenance
Some regular car care can be performed in the convenience of your home, while some may need to be performed in a workshop with an accredited mechanic. If you see the check engine light come on, you should bring your car to a shop and let an expert technician check it out as soon as possible. A reputable shop can also do a thorough inspection and replace other important parts such as the wheel bearings and alternator. Maintaining a regular tune-up schedule can save you from spending more on maintenance down the line, as your car won’t have a chance to experience major damage as a result of neglect.
Conclusion
You have invested a lot into your car, whether it’s your dream set of wheels, or a simple vehicle to get you from A to B. However expensive your car is, it’s important to take care of it responsibly. Some technical issues in your car may not immediately require an expert, and can be managed by yourself, however you should get it to a mechanic if it’s something serious.
Refer to the car care tips above to help keep your car in good condition. Remember that it’s important that you repair any damage immediately, so you don’t end up with higher expenses in the future.
