Properly maintaining your car over the years can extend the life of the engine and other major components, and also ensure your car doesn't suffer early breakdown and unnecessary repairs. This maintenance can mean taking your car to a shop, but there are also many things you can do yourself in order to keep your car in good working order. Note a few tips on how to properly maintain your car and ensure it's in the best condition possible.
Flush the coolant system
You may need a mechanic to perform this task for you, but flushing the coolant system can help to remove any debris, including rust, dirt, and other such sediment, from the coolant, the radiator, and the hoses of the coolant system. This debris can damage all the parts of the coolant system and the engine itself, and also reduce the cooling provided by the radiator, causing your engine to run too hot. A mechanic can tell you how often this flush should be done, given your car's age and condition.
Replace the wipers
If you notice that your vehicle's windshield wipers are worn down or outright shredded, you want to replace them as soon as possible. Torn or cracked wipers can trap dust and debris, causing damage to the windscreen every time they operate. If the wipers are outright torn, the metal arm of the wiper blade may also be scraping across the windscreen, leaving scratches behind. These scratches can capture more dust and dirt, blocking your view and damaging the glass over time. Keep new wipers that are in good condition on your vehicle at all times, to avoid this potential damage to the windscreen.
Watch where you park
On hot summer days, try to park in a shady area, to keep the car cooler. Being exposed to excessive heat can cause rubber hoses to soften, and the battery to drain more quickly. On very cold days, consider parking indoors when possible, to ensure those hoses don't get brittle and crack, and to protect the fluids in the car from becoming overly thick.
Wash the car
You may not think that washing your car helps with its overall maintenance, but it's never good to let debris build up in the front grille of the car, where it can damage the radiator. Washing behind the wheels can help to remove rust and other debris that might get caught in the braking system. Removing dirt and grime from the windscreen can also help to protect the glass from long-term damage, and improve your visibility when behind the wheel.
Share1 March 2018
Ever since I was a little boy playing with my toy cars, I have had a need for speed. Now that I am an adult, I enjoy both watching car racing and taking part in amateur racing events. My automotive blog shares ways you can make your own car faster and more responsive. I want to share my thoughts on tyre choices, mechanical modifications and body style changes which all alter the way your car performs. If you have an interest in amateur car racing, you'll find posts about that here. My blog posts get keep your engine racing too!
