Servicing your car regularly is imperative to its maintenance and longevity. This doesn’t mean that it has to be expensive, though. As a car owner, there is a range of things you can do to keep the prices down next time you visit the mechanic. By properly maintaining your vehicle in between services, you’ll also ensure that it stays in optimal condition, helping you to achieve the best possible resale value.
4 tips for maintaining your car in between services
Here is our advice for what you should do between visits to the mechanic.
Maintain Tyre Pressure
Maintaining the right tyre pressure is one of the easiest ways to care for your car between services. Having your tyres accurately pressurised means there is less strain on the steering components. It also means that the tyres themselves won’t wear out too fast and that the fuel economy of your vehicle will increase. Tyres should be pressurised when cold – make it a fortnightly or monthly routine to visit your local service station to pump or bleed your tyres.
Engine Fluid
Regularly monitoring your engine fluids is vitally important to the health of your vehicle. Some recommend weekly checks while others suggest monthly. The easiest way to remember to check your fluids is to simply examine them when you’re filling up on petrol. If you don’t know which oil is suited to your engine, consult your manufacturer’s handbook
Failing to maintain the correct amount of oil in your engine will cause wear and it could cause the engine to seize. It is not just the engine that requires oil, either. The transmission, brakes, and power steering also require top-ups. These are all fairly accessible in modern vehicles and while they don’t require the upkeep of engine oil, they do require a check every so often.
Drive Belt
Checking your drive belt for perishing is another factor you should be aware of. The wear on a drive belt varies from car to car and while it may only need to be replaced less than a handful of times during a car’s life; it is worth keeping an eye on it. If the belt should fail whole you’re driving, it could leave you stranded as essential components attached to the engine will stop functioning.
Wheel Alignments
Getting a regular wheel alignment is a fantastic way to ensure your car is running smoothly between services. Aligned wheels reduce wear on tyres and steering components. While you should have your wheels aligned at least once a year, you should also have them looked at when you notice some common symptoms. Some signs to watch out for include the car pulling to one side, a shuddering at higher speeds, and uneven wear patterns on your tyres.
Following these 4 tips for maintaining your car in between services will ensure that your vehicle is in peak condition when servicing time comes around. If you’re in the Joondalup area, book your car in at Carcare Joondalup. We provide superior advice and servicing to keep your car running at its best.