Cars, for some, are just as important as their homes. Without them, they may be cut off from the world, or at least, travelling to and from places would become difficult. For this reason, it’s important to take proper care of your car.
Even if your vehicle isn’t vitally important to your life, if you own one, you want to get the most out of it for the least cost. The last thing you need is to be spending a small fortune on a new vehicle every few years because you haven’t cared for it enough. With the proper maintenance, your car can serve you well.
So, here are some tips for how to properly take care of your car and ensure that you’re getting the best from it.
Replace your filters
Both the oil and air filters become clogged over time, which is why it’s important to regularly replace them. If you get your car serviced, this will be done as part of that, however, it’s a relatively simple task to do yourself. Before replacing, try washing the air filter as this can lengthen its life.
Check and replace your tyres
Arguably the most important feature to your car, your tyres need to be checked regularly and when the tread is worn, replaced. If your tyres are inflated to the right level, this is going to impact your fuel consumption and handling. Do ensure that you have a high-quality spare available at all times, too. You can find a multitude of car spares online, no matter the make. From Skoda and Peugeot to BMW spares, you’ll find what you need and most likely for a discounted price. On top of that, it’s advised to rotate your tyres and check their alignment regularly too.
Replace your spark plugs
Although it might seem daunting, replacing spark plugs and the high-tension leads that go alongside them isn’t as complicated as you may think. If you own a diesel car, spark plugs aren’t used, so this doesn’t apply to you. However, if you’re the owner of a petrol car, then you can find an array of car parts, and instructions on how to replace your spark plug online too.
How much do you rev?
To reduce wear and ensure you get the most miles per tank, try to avoid revving your engine unnecessarily as much as possible. Same goes for braking suddenly, the smoother the drive the better. That being said, every so often it’s important to clear out your pipes from a build-up of carbon deposits. Revving to the red line once every few hundred miles will allow for this, but do ensure you only do it when the oil is warm and you’re on a quiet road.
Aircon
Although having the aircon on an impact your fuel economy, if you have air-con, you’ll want to use it. If not, you could end up having to re-gas it which can come in at a costly £50. Unfortunately, this means having the cold air blowing every once in a while in the winter, but it’s a small price to pay to avoid a costly re-gas.
