For most people out there, especially in America, a vehicle is a necessity because of how essential they’ve become to commuting and getting where you need to go. They’ll only have a few cars in their lifetimes, probably all of the newer models, and will use them for their primary purpose only—getting them from one place to another.
For other people, however, a vehicle is much more than that. They see the rich history in each part and function, and love the unique look that older cars tend to have. If you’re one of these automotive enthusiasts, this article has been designed for you.
We’ll discuss car maintenance, including what you should check, change, and do, and how often that work needs to be done. Even if you avoid an accident while driving, there is still regular maintenance to keep up with. Whether you’re a new car enthusiast or a vehicle veteran, you’ll probably find some value in this article.
Knowing What Needs to Happen
The first step in performing car maintenance is knowing what maintenance to perform. While some tasks may be obvious, such as replacing a flat or changing out a faulty headlight, other tasks may fall by the wayside or be forgotten. A good example is your car’s air filters.
There are two to keep an eye on: the cabin filter and the engine filter. The engine filter is a vital component of your vehicle since it filters the air that enters the combustion chamber—without one, your vehicle would suffer disastrous long-term consequences as debris enters and stays in this location.
Cabin filters are a bit more simple; they prevent debris and allergens from entering the inside of the vehicle. As you’re changing the oil and checking the tire pressure, make sure to also check and change out these filters, especially if the air quality in your area tends to be poor.
Washing Your Car
Washing your car tends to be one of the more obvious maintenance tasks, but do you understand its importance? Even if your vehicle sits in your driveway for long periods, it’s collecting debris. From bird droppings to pollen and even insect remains, there are a lot of contaminants to watch for before you even take the weather and road conditions into account.
Rain, snow, tar, and road salt are some environmental and road debris to consider. Luckily, cleaning your car is a self-explanatory task as you fill a bucket with water and vehicle-safe soap. As you begin to wash, you’ll want to wash the tires, which have collected the most debris, either first or last, and always make sure you’re using a new, clean rag to do so.
If you fail to do this, the things you cleaned from other car parts will be transferred to your tires and vice versa. Also, you may want to wash your vehicles by hand since car washes don’t always change out the rags in between cars.
Changing Windshield Wipers
Whereas washing your cars was an obvious task, replacing windshield wipers is one that can get overlooked. How often they should be changed depends on how often they’re used and their current condition. Many auto repair shops will recommend changing them every six to twelve months, though this may not be necessary for your vehicle.
To know when to change them, examine each one closely, both while you’re doing maintenance and when you’re driving. When not driving, pay attention to damaged or corroded metal and cracked or worn rubber. White driving, watch how well the weirs clean, and listen for any squeaking or chattering.
If you notice damage to the wipers or notice they’re making noise or not cleaning very well, then it’s time to replace them. Leaving damaged wipers on for too long is a safety hazard, so change them as soon as you notice one of these flaws.
Replacing the Motor Oil
Changing the oil is one of if not the most common tasks you may have aside from fueling up the car as needed.
Some newer vehicles have a system informing you of when an oil change is necessary, but some popular older vehicles don’t have this luxury. Instead, you’ll need to read the manual or do some research to find out how often to change it on your own. Once the car is cool, use your dipstick to check the oil levels every month or so, though more frequent checks may be necessary if you drive your vehicle often.
The oil we put in our vehicles now has changed over the years, so changing the oil every three months may not be necessary anymore. For newer cars with the luxury of more advanced engines, every six months or so should be fine.
Older vehicles will likely need more frequent changes, though it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact date. When in doubt, refer to the manual or contact another vehicle enthusiast if the manual is unavailable for some reason.
Changing Out the Other Vehicular Fluids
There are a few other types of fluids to keep an eye on besides just gas and motor oil. Failing to check your brake fluid regularly can be dangerous, especially if there’s a leak that you’re unaware of.
Furthermore, you’re going to need to ensure that the gears, synchros, and/or clutch packs are lubricated. Transmission oil does this, and failing to ensure the oil is at the proper level can seriously damage your car’s engine. Of course, you also need to ensure the engine remains at the optimal temperature, which is where engine coolant comes into play.
There is a lot to keep track of on your vehicle, so regular maintenance is important even on cars you don’t drive very often. Failing to do these checks could put you and those around you in danger or could even damage the car.
Luckily, plenty of resources are available to help you create a list of things to check and provide advice on what to check and when, which makes your maintenance chores go a bit smoother.