How to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly – Best Ways To Maintain Your Vehicle

Nothing lasts forever, and no matter how robust, rigid, and strong your car is, it will break down at some point. Cars are designed to withstand a huge amount of wear and tear, they’re reliable, safe, and do the job they are intended to do perfectly. Yet, it does need proper maintenance, and the better you take care of it, the longer it will keep you happy.

Regular changes of oil, filters, and some spare parts are exactly what your car needs to run smoothly. Of course, there is more to it, and in the text below, we’ll make sure to delve into the topic of how you can keep it going until it hits a million miles.

Top Car Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Ride Smooth and Efficient

1. Keep an Eye on Fluid Levels

All the fluids in the car have a special purpose and use. From brake to transmission and steering fluids. All have been designed so they keep the car running without any issues. The brake fluid keeps the right pressure on the brakes so you can rely on them when needed, the steering fluid makes it possible to turn the wheel 360° easily in all directions.

Now, coolant is especially important as it keeps the engine cool in summer and stops it from freezing in winter. These regular fluid checks are easy and can sometimes be done by yourself alone. Make sure to always have a spare ounce of these fluids in your garage, just in case.

2. Regular Oil Changes

We couldn’t talk about fluids in the car without emphasizing and mentioning the most important of the theme, the oil. It’s the life source of the car, it keeps it running smoothly no matter how harsh the conditions are, and without it, probably all the parts in your engine would melt due to friction at high temperatures. Now, motor oil does withstand a lot of beating from heat, friction, and the constant running of the engine, but after some time it does need to be changed.

Generally speaking, an oil change is simple but for the sake of doing it the right way, leave it to the professionals, as sometimes it can get a bit complicated if you don’t have the necessary tools at hand. Consult your mechanic on how far the oil has come and whether it needs changing.

It can depend on factors such as color and viscosity, as oil picks up a lot of metal parts and dust. After some time, it can become watery and lose a lot of its smoothness, making it harder for the oil to keep everything going like clockwork.

The gold standard is to change it every maybe 4000 miles, depending on the car you drive, and with it, a mechanic will suggest changing the filters as they’ve withstood a lot of wear as well.

3. Brake Inspections and Maintenance

Regular brake maintenance and inspections can prevent possible wear and tear on the brake pads, rotors, and clippers. All these essential parts of the break can cause harm if they’re not in perfect condition. It’s not only your safety you might compromise, but the safety of others as well.

If you hear any squealing, grinding, or signs of slight vibration whenever you’re hitting the brakes on the road, it might be time to check with your mechanic if everything is alright. These routine maintenance tasks, like replacing the pads, rotors, or clippers, are easy and, in most cases, inexpensive compared to the damage they might cause. Worn-out pads can also affect the broken disk, bend it, and damage it.

4. Check the Tires

Your tires need the perfect amount of air pressure to keep going smoothly. Check the pressure from time to time, see if there are any potential sketches or holes, and whether they seem healthy or not. You can always consult with a mechanic about the issue, and if they need changing (although it is an expense), it’s better to do it sooner than later, as worn-out tires can blow out in a second while you’re on the road driving, causing a lot of other damage to the car. Proper tire maintenance can also greatly affect proper fuel efficiency and save you money in the long run.

5. Battery Care

The battery supports the whole electrical installation of the car, it keeps everything in check, and without electricity, a lot of the commands can be late and cause damage to the brain of the car as well. Battery life span is not the greatest, it depends on many factors, but it does require changing after a couple of years.

Many people recharge the batteries, and although it might be a temporary solution, we strongly advise going for a new one altogether, as it comes with a warranty and peace of mind.

6. Follow the Manual

Every manufacturer knows what’s best for the car, every part has been tested many times for this purpose. The manual serves a specific purpose, which is to keep the car going for as long as possible. So, make sure they always check how far along some parts are and whether it’s time to pay a visit to the mechanic or if it can wait until after Christmas.

It doesn’t take too much time to keep everything in check. In fact, with a bit of patience, you can do all this in one day. These steps simply ensure the car keeps doing its job while saving you from unnecessary spending down the road.

Also Read: Top Car Care Tips