Car care tips to keep it running smoothly

Most of us rely on our cars for work and family life.  Let’s face it, they can be expensive to run and maintain. Most of us, if we’re honest, don’t treat our cars well.  But a bit of TLC can keep our cars on the road, running smoothly for years. 

Here are some things you can do to keep your car on the road for longer. 

Get it serviced regularly

You should get your car serviced annually.  By doing this, a professional will be able to spot and fix small problems before they become big (and expensive) ones.  A service will also provide air conditioner repair and recharge services, top up your engine and radiator, and improve fuel efficiency and breaking.  

Thorough service history will also add value to your car if you come to sell it in the future. 

Drive smoothly 

A smooth driving style will do wonders for the long term health of your car.  Rapid acceleration, braking, and sudden turning can cause havoc with your brakes, tires, and suspension, not to mention your fuel economy. 

However, once every few hundred miles, it’s a good idea to rev your engine high in order to dislodge and carbon deposits that may have collected in the valves or manifold.  You don’t need to speed to do this, just find somewhere quiet and out of the way and rev your engine a few times. 

Check your tires

Your tires affect both the handling and safety of your car, so you need to check them regularly.  

Check your tire pressure often.  Your car’s manual will tell you what pressure they should be operating at.  Newer models of cars often have an onboard computer that can alert you to any loss of pressure or you can use a tire pressure checker available at most gas stations. 

Correctly inflated tires will increase fuel efficiency and improve handling. 

Top up your fluids

Your car relies on various fluids to keep it running, so you need to ensure that these are topped up regularly. 

You should check your engine oil once a month. Remove the dipstick and check that the level is between the minimum and maximum levels markers. 

If the oil looks dirty or darker than usual, change it. Diesel cars have darker oil so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a diesel engine. 

You should also top up your coolant levels with 50% distilled water and 50% antifreeze.  

Consider care of the car’s body and features

By regularly servicing and checking your car’s key areas, you are ensuring safe and efficient operation as long as possible.  If you do notice any issues, it’s best to check them out quickly before it becomes a bigger problem. That way, repairs can be made early and could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. If you plan to sell your car in the future, you’ll also be able to ask for market value, as your car will have been well cared for.