11 Essential Car Maintenance Tips To Avoid Extensive Damage

Regular maintenance of your vehicle is the key to keeping it in good shape for years. It can help ensure everyone’s safety, including your passengers and other drivers on the road. If you don’t want your vehicle to end up with extensive damage at some point, always prioritize routine maintenance.

Although some find the car maintenance task a tedious chore, that extra effort on your part can go a long way in minimizing expensive repair jobs on your car. Regardless of the vehicle you currently have, whether it’s an SUV, Jeep Wrangler, or a Hyundai auto, maintenance is essential.

If you want your vehicle to stay in good shape and lower the chances of extensive damage, here are several essential car maintenance tips to consider.

1. Change The Oil

One of the most crucial maintenance tasks for your vehicle is to change its oil. Oil problems can be expensive damage to fix since oil affects various functions. It’s best to get an oil change than risk wearing out the engine, which can fetch a high price if a replacement is necessary.

As part of the routine maintenance for your car, make sure to change its oil every 5,000 miles or follow the recommendation given by your car manufacturer.

2. Check The Fluids

Your vehicle utilizes a variety of fluids such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid to function optimally. As part of maintenance, you need to check if these fluids are at proper levels.

Like motor oil, you can inspect the transmission fluid using a dipstick. For the coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid levels, you can check them by removing their covers and seeing if they reach the designated fill line.

Remember that the coolant protects your engines from overheating and failing to check on them can affect almost all components of your car, including its heater, air conditioner, water pump, and even its radiator. Make sure to check on the coolant at least twice a year, ideally before the summer and the cold season starts.

3. Keep The Battery Clean

An issue of concern involving the car battery is corrosion. Generally, it can appear as whitish or bluish powder on the battery’s terminals.

If you fail to keep your battery clean, it can end up breaking apart or not functioning properly. With this in mind, make sure to test your car’s battery twice a year and carefully check for signs of corrosion. You can utilize a wire brush together with a solution of water and baking soda to get rid of the corrosion.

4. Inspect The Tires

Keeping your tires in good condition can help you save money and avoid a potentially dangerous driving situation.

Maintaining your vehicle’s tire pressure can help minimize wear and tear and ensure good gas mileage. Checking the tire pressure includes determining the correct pressure and the pounds per square inch (PSI) and inflating or deflating your tires accordingly.

Having a flat tire can put you at risk for danger while on the road. If you want to avoid a blowout, try rotating your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Always test the pressure of both your current tires and the spare tire once a month.

5. Examine The Belts And Hoses

The hoses and belts in your vehicle’s engine bay will require attention at some point. The coolant flows through the hoses to prevent the engine from overheating. Consider getting a replacement when a hose shows signs of bulging or cracks.

Don’t forget to check the belts as well. The timing belt is crucial to the engine’s operation. Replace once there are any indications of deterioration, such as glazing, cracking, or missing pieces. If you fail to take immediate action on the timing belt, it can severely damage your car’s engine.

6. Timely Replacement Of The Air Filter

The air filter in your car prevents any pollutants from passing through the vents. Since it plays a crucial role, make sure it receives special attention. Additionally, having an old filter can result in significant issues for the air conditioning system. Switch to a new air filter every 12 months or after reaching 12,000 miles as part of routine car maintenance.

7. Inspect For Brake Issues

The brakes play a critical role in any vehicle. Make sure you know how the brakes feel and what they sound like every time you drive. Once the brakes feel spongy or require more pressure to press on, consider an inspection by a professional.

Take note of any changes in the brake sounds since it can indicate if maintenance or repair is necessary.

• Squealing: you need brand-new brake pads if you hear squealing since it may indicate a worn-out brake pad rubbing against the rotor.
• Grinding: you’re likely to hear this sound if rust is getting rubbed off from the brake rotors, especially when the humidity levels are high outdoors. If you want to avoid rust formation, park your vehicle in the garage when the weather outside is rainy, snowy, and humid.
• Rattling: a vibratory or rattling sound signifies that one of the rotors is deteriorating or warped, requiring a replacement.

8. Replace The Wiper Blades

Consider replacing your wipers once the windows streak or the blades screech when it’s operating. Don’t overlook the importance of this maintenance task since windshield wipers are crucial in providing visibility during poor weather. You never know when you need them, so it’s best to inspect the wiper blades regularly.

9. Maintain The Bodywork

Regular cleaning, polishing, and waxing can effectively protect your car from outside elements. Over time, expect your vehicle’s paint to turn dull due to constant exposure. If you want to maintain your car’s exterior, make sure to apply polish regularly.

A general clean-up is usually enough to eliminate debris or corrosive elements. Don’t forget to apply wax every three or four months so your car can look good as new.

10. Clean The Lights

It’s likely for dust and dirt to accumulate on your vehicle’s headlights, negatively affecting overall visibility while driving. With this in mind, make sure to clean the headlights thoroughly using a moist microfiber towel every week.

11. Protect The Car Interiors

Make sure to cover the surfaces as much as possible. Make use of floor mats to prevent bringing in dirt or mud from the outside and spreading them all over the carpet. Use seat covers to protect the upholstery of the car seats and keep them in good shape for years. Make it a routine to vacuum the interiors regularly to prevent dirt or debris from building up.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your vehicle in good shape for a long time is possible. By doing regular automobile maintenance, both inside and out, you’ll be able to keep it safe and in good condition. You can use these car maintenance tips to help you avoid costly damage and ensure your car stays in superior shape for years to come.