Maintenance tips to keep your car in top condition

No one buys a car with the intention to treat it badly, but that is something that many car owners do without even realising. If this is a crime you’re guilty of, it means that you’re not maximising the lifespan of your car, and encounter disastrous mechanical problems that could easily have been avoided with a little TLC. If you want to get the most out of your car and keep it in a drivable condition for as long as possible, then you have to treat it right and complete the preventative maintenance necessary. Here are six maintenance tips to help you keep your car in mint condition.

1. Read the manual

You may be able to get away with putting up a bookshelf without instructions, but a taking care of a car is a completely different story. The automobile was a technological revolution in its time, and it still deserves to be treated as such, so open up your glove compartment and have a read of the manual. In it will be the answers to some of your most burning questions, like how often to change to oil and which fuel to use, and these answers will help to keep your car driving.

2. Inflate your tyres

The manual will also tell you the pressure to which your tyres should be inflated, so check your pressure every few days and make sure to inflate your tyres when the pressure drops. You can do this at most petrol stations.

3. Keep it clean

You should get a car valet every month or so, and keep the interior of your car as clean as you can in between. While a stain on the back seat or a greasy smell might not physically stop you from driving your car, it’ll make you want to stop and get a new one. What’s more, it will also drastically decrease the resale value, so you’ll end up losing more money.

4. Heed the warnings

The lights on your dashboard are there for a reason, so you shouldn’t ignore them. If something lights up, and you’re not sure what it means, take your car to a trustworthy mechanic for some help. If you delay, further damage could occur, which might not be repairable.

5. Use a trustworthy mechanic

You wouldn’t go to a dodgy looking doctor for your annual check-up, so why would you take your car to a cheap and untrustworthy looking mechanic. If you take your time finding someone with great reviews and testimonials, they are sure to keep your car in as best a condition as they can.

6. Check your fluids

Think of your fluids like blood for your car; Without them, your car won’t be able to live. Because of this, it’s essential that you check them at least once a week, and top them up when they get low. If you don’t know how to do this, you could ask your mechanic to demonstrate for you.

Most people don’t know that they’re treating their car badly until it’s too late. Now that you know how to take care of yours, you can keep it going for a long time.

** This is a collaborative post