Finally buying your first car after you obtained your driver’s license can be exciting, especially after you took hours of driving class and driving lessons. However, once you sign the papers and the car’s all yours, you’re going to need to maintain the car in tip-top shape.
Here are some of the things you should know or be aware of on how to service your vehicle.
Check your tires
You can’t be driving around and showing everyone your sweat ride if your tires are poorly inflated or damaged.
Tire problems are one of the most common maintenance issues you will encounter. You should always check your tires frequently for any signs of wear and tear, cracking, bulging, pressure, or things that got caught in the tread.
Some cars will show you the exact amount of PSI each tire has on the dashboard of the car. Whereas some will not and will only show you a “check tire pressure” light sign on the dashboard of the car when it’s too late.
To know how much your car needs in tire pressure, go and read the owner’s manual. If you have low tire pressure, then that will increase the car’s fuel consumption and shorten the life of the tire.
If you have a high tire pressure, then it will reduce grip on the tires making them less stable when braking. Check your tire pressure at least once a week.
Replace engine oil
Your engine needs oil so it can lubricate and clean itself. The oil is also helpful in cooling the engine.
So, if the oil levels drop too low or you don’t change them when you need to. Then you risk engine and mechanical damage to the car.
If you decide to replace your engine oil yourself, always do your research on which oil will be best for your car, and do not overfill the engine. If you overfill it then it can also damage your car.
To check the car’s oil simply:
- Turn off the car and make sure the engine is cold
- Take out the dipstick and clean it with a cloth
- Put it back in and take it out and check if the oil mark is between the F and L marks
- If it’s below the L mark, then you need to put in more oil
Check engine coolant
Alongside your engine oil, the engine coolant plays an important role in the day-to-day functions of your car. If you don’t have any or top it, then it can lead to problems.
Water and anti-freeze engine coolant will help the car remove any excess heat from the engine.
Always check the engine coolant once every 3 months or so or whenever the appropriate time is for your vehicle.
To check the coolant levels, you will need to:
- Locate the coolant reservoir in the car
- Check if the coolant is between the minimum and maximum marks
- If it’s below then you need to add more fluid
Never take off the filler cap when the engine is hot
