Our cars are our sturdy friends who’ll always be with us along the way no matter where we’re going…
But, just like real friends, in order to keep that friend by our side, we need to take good care of them.
Not most of us are motorheads and mechanics, so we need to know what goes up under the hood so we won’t need to go to a mechanic and pay up extra when our car breaks down or makes all sorts of crazy noises.
So, if you don’t want to pay for not taking care of your car, or not being left on the side of the road, read on…
Keep the Engine Running Like New
We’re not telling you to just go out and buy a high-performance car and go out and win the F1 championship; we’re actually saying you shouldn’t; but we will tell you one thing: keeping the engine running is vital to keep the rest of the car operating well. Simple maintenance is so often overlooked that people tend to neglect the basics of keeping their car running well and then after a while, their engine is ruined, and then that’s it. How Do I Start? If you’re not aware of your engine’s complete cooling system, you could probably be ruining your engine or transmission yourself. Let’s assume your engine is going to be operating at or over 500 horsepower.
The average car (not the really luxurious ones, like Ferraris or Lamborghinis) uses between 3,000 and 5,000 parts when it’s running at its highest possible speed.
Yet, there are certain things you can do to keep the engine running on full blast (or at the optimal speed for the car). And, of course, nothing is as good as spending some money to get the same things done, because the price is always going to be much higher if you don’t do it right the first time.
So, the best thing you can do is take it to the mechanic every once in a while, to make sure the engine is fully optimized.
Protect Your Car from the Elements
Making sure your car is protected from the elements is really important, even more than what’s under the hood…
If you live in a warm, sunny, dry climate, you can forget about things like ice damage, snow damage, mud damage, and so on.
For most of us, the weather is a major factor that can bring on engine failure of our beloved car. However, this is usually only the case when we have too much snow, sleet, ice, or rain.
On the other hand, if you’re in a humid, humid climate, this is a common problem…
Depending on where you live, the following conditions can damage your engine: wet or damp conditions: dripping wet roads or mucky roads can damage your car’s engine, especially the turbochargers.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Not having the right tires is like driving around in a donut. Plus, what’s the number one cause of car trouble on the road?
Inappropriate air pressure.
You can check your tires when the weather is nice and when you have a full tank. If you’ve got some serious mileage, consider getting a professional service.
If you’re planning to do a long road trip, it’s recommended you get your tires checked before you go. If you’ve already checked them, you can check them again when it’s cold and you’re going to be on the road for a few hours.
Regularly Check Your Oil and Check Your Air Filter
Needless to say, both oil and air filters are essential for your car’s performance…
They protect the engine and let you enjoy a happy driving experience because not doing so leaves you stranded in a lonely forest road with no way to get home.
Drivers need to know that there are minimum maintenance appointments every two, three, or even every six months for their cars. Why you might ask? Because your car gets “rustier” with age and when you run out of oil, it stops for a minute or two.
When you don’t keep up with your oil changes, or you neglect to check your air filter, you’re going to notice it: your engine is making all sorts of weird sounds, your power goes down, your car is slow on the highway, and you can’t keep up with the flow of traffic.
Clean Out Dust and Debris from under Your Hood
Your car can’t move properly when it’s covered in road grime, dust, and debris that is difficult to clean. Put the key into your car and when you turn the engine, be sure to smell a stale odor – there may be carbon monoxide or other foul odors in your engine from road grime.
Not all of these odors are necessarily good, either. Many automotive parts, from your alternator to your spark plugs, are made of plastic, and it takes less than an hour for a piece of carbon-monoxide-producing tire rim to leak into the system and set off a lethal reaction.
You’d be shocked how much a leaky spark plug can kill you.
Get Your Car Regularly Serviced
Car servicing is essential. All car parts need time and attention to keep the engine in good shape, without any parts breaking down. And when the parts in our cars break down, we might be in a mess…
Most parts of our cars are directly related to the engine, and if one component is not working correctly, it will affect the engine’s performance, which in turn can lead to mechanical failures.
So, car service isn’t free. It can cost you more than you’re already spending on repairs on your own.
Just like with any services provided by a mechanic, the good news is that for car service, the problem can usually be found in the driver runs the car at a very low RPM. So, just before or after you get the car serviced, run the engine at 100 percent and check for any engine issues.
And always remember, when you’re trying to cash your car, keeping it up and running always drives the value of your car up!