Tips to take care of your car
Whether you've rented a car and are heading on a roadtrip or you have your own car and regularly drive, it's important to know the basics of looking after a car.
We've put together a checklist of things to think about before getting behind the wheel for your next drive.
1. Engine Maintenance: Checking your engine’s oil
Oil helps keep your car engine healthy by keeping clean, cool and lubricating the moving metal parts as well as preventing friction. A healthy engine could reduce your risk of breaking down and maintaining it could help avoid irreversible damage. You should check your car's engine oil weekly.
Before checking your engine's oil level, make sure your car is on a flat level and has been switched off long enough for it to cool down. This is so the oil has had time to settle and you get an accurate measurement.
Here's how to check the oil in your car:
Step 1: To start, pull out the dipstick from your engine and wipe it clean.
Step 2: Then push the dipstick back all the way in and wait for a few seconds. When you check the oil level, it should be between the two marks on the dipstick
Step 3: If your oil level is low, add more to your engine a little at a time until you have the right measurement. Be sure not to add more oil than the maximum amount marked on your car's dipstick as this could cause damage to your car's engine.
2. Knowing your car: User's Manual
When you get the keys to your car, reading the Owner’s Manual is probably not the first thing you want to do, but it’s important. It will help you understand your car better and learn about any special requirements your car has, like how often it needs to be professionally serviced. You might also discover features that you weren’t aware of, that’ll make driving your car even more enjoyable. If you’re not the first owner of your car you might also find information on your car’s service history and any maintenance history.
3. Car Exterior: Windows and Lights
Lights are an essential part of driving whether it's day or night. Lights let us indicate, see what’s ahead and let other drivers know what we’re doing, like braking and turning. So it's important to check regularly that they’re working.
Some cars have more lights than others, but here’s a list of the main ones:
Headlights (high and low beam)
Indicators (both sides)
Reversing lights
Fog lights
Tail lights
4. Professional Maintenance: Car Servicing
There are some parts in a car that need to be professionally maintained by a qualified mechanic or repairer. During a professional car service, there can be up to 50 or more system checks done. Regular servicing will also save your wallet in the long run, as your car will run better and more efficiently when it’s maintained well.
