101 Car Maintenance Tips - Automotive-Online

Home » Articles » 101 Car Maintenance Tips

E-Mail

PDF

Submit Article

101 Car Maintenance Tips

By Automotive Online on February 2, 2009 10:06 AM

A popular myth about automobiles is that 'buying a vehicle isn't that mind-boggling work as maintaining it is'. Many of us would definitely agree with this statement. But, its actually a myth because car maintenance is not a difficult job at all. The only thing that matters in keeping a car in the right condition is the consistency in maintenance. Keep this in mind and you know that your car will ensure hassle free performance all its life. When we talk about consistency, it means taking care of you car completely. Here are 101 car maintenance tips just for your dear vehicle.

Automobile Engine

Tip 1: Take care of Engine – The Heart of A Vehicle – Ask your auto mechanic to thoroughly check the engine every time you take your car for servicing.

Tip 2: Check Engine Coolant – Proper temperature of car's engine is important, hence you should check you engine coolant for right level. If the engine coolant is low, it results in overheating of auto engine.

Tip 3:- Check for Smooth Functioning of Timing Belt – If it doesn't then, just replace it to avoid an serious engine damage that can be heavy for your pocket.

Tip 4:- Calibration of the Engine Oil – Regular checking and calibration of engine oil ensures engine breakdown. Smooth performance of the automobile engine helps to increase the lifeline of your vehicle.

Tip 5:- Clean the Radiator – Radiator debris should be cleaned with a soft brush. Whereas detergent solution can be carefully used to clean the exterior of radiator.

Tip 6:- Never Spray Water On Hot Engine – This might lead to uninvited troubles and may damage your car's engine.

Tip 7:- Hydraulic Reservoir Should Also Be At An Optimum Level – Keep the hydraulic reservoir at optimum level with the fluid type.

Tip 8:- Air Cleaner Check – A regular check of air cleaner keeps your car in the best spirit.

Tip 9:- Avoid Idling – You will surely boost up the lifeline of your dear vehicle, if you do this. Avoid keeping your car idle for longer period as during this process, the oil is not distributed to different parts of the engine.

Automobile Lubrication System

Tip 10:- Lubrication Plays A Vital Role In Performance – Regular lubrication of your car assures you of effortless driving and does not exert pressure on the automotive parts.

Tip 11:- Change Oil Regularly – Well, you can easily do it on a regular basis. Regular change of oil ensures a better performing vehicle.

Tip 12:- Change Your Oil Filter – This auto part helps in filtering any kind of impurities that are mixed in oil that might block the passage of oil into the engine. A damaged oil filter will allow dirty residue to enter the car's engine thus causing harm to it.

Tip 13:- Food for Your Car Should be of Good Quality – It is obvious. You should always buy gas from a reputable and trusted service station. Buy gas at reputable service stations. The gas that is used should be properly filtered.

Tip 14:- Don't Overfill Your Crankcase – Overfilling of crankcase with oil can damage the automotive engine.

Tip 15:- Overfilling May Foul Sparkplugs – Spark plugs may also get affected due to overheating and overfilling.

Tip 16:- Never Try Overfilling With Any Automotive Fluids – Overfilling of any automotive fluid is never recommended.

Tip 17:- Check Power-Steering Fluid – Keep the power-steering fluid at a desired level.

Tip 18:- Always Use Recommended Power-Steering Fluid – Always use the one suggested for your car.

Automotive Accessories

Tip 19:- Wash Your Car Regularly – This helps in keeping you car new through out the year. Bird's dropping, dust, dirt, bugs, etc may accumulate leaving permanent stains on the vehicle.

Tip 20:- Remove Minor Scratches – If you ignore minor scratches for a longer period, they are going to cost you you more later on. Try to get the scratches removed in the very next car maintenance session.

Tip 21:- Waxing of Car is Important – Necessary for the shiny look of your car, waxing is suggested to be done at regular intervals. The other important function of car wax is to shield paint from harsh environment.

Tip 22:- Keep Your Car Interiors Clean – Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the interiors of your car clean. You can easily clean the floor mats, areas under the auto seats, around the hand brakes or pedals, dashboard can be easily cleaned using different brush attachments.

Tip 23:- Clean The Car Seat Covers – Cleaning sponges and other car care products & tools are perfect materials for cleaning any vehicle's upholstery.

Tip 24:- Remove the Musty Smell from Your Car – You often feel that your car has a particular odour. It is usually because of your air conditioner. Get rid of this smell by cleaning the air conditioner vents using an odor treatment.

Tip 25:- Take Care of Your Car's Windshield Wipers – If required just change them.

Tip 26:- Go for Rubber Clad Blades If In Snowy Regions – you might also change the wipers with rubber clad blades so that snow or ice can be easily wiped off.

Tip 27:- Keep Car's Upholstery Clean – Dirty car curtains and other upholstery would be destroy the car's interiors. So keep car's upholstery clean.

Tip 28:- Always Keep The Glass Panes & Mirror Clean – Your car always looks new with clean glass. For better cleaning, you may opt for a lint- and scratch-free microfiber towel for wiping.

Tip 29:- Car Audio System – Maintain It to Save Expenses – In order to avoid poor sound quality and any other disturbance in your car's audio system, just be gentle while using it. Use a soft piece of cloth to wipe of the dust from the audio system.

Tip 30:- Leather Seats Needs Proper Care – If your car has worn out seats or dirty leather seats, if obviously mars the look of car interiors. Regular maintenance keeps the car seats in best condition.

Tip 31:- Keep The Seat Back Clean Too – In order to keep your car in the best look, make sure to keep each auto parts or automotive accessories free from dirt & dust. Use a cleaner to was the seat back.

Tip 32:- Prevent Tailpipe from Moist Air – Save your car's tailpipe by plugging it with a rag. Moisture or moist air might infiltrate into it.

Tip 33:- A New Skin for Your Car – Automotive markets are filled with self-adhering urethane films that are used to protect vehicle from abrasions. Try out these films for an all new look

Tip 34:- Use Soft Sponges for Cleaning – Cleaning sponges and other car care products & tools are perfect materials for cleaning any vehicle's upholstery.

Tip 35:- Always Keep The Glass Panes & Mirror Clean – Your car always looks new with clean glass. For better cleaning, you may opt for a lint- and scratch-free microfiber towel for wiping.

Tip 36:- Car Audio System – Maintain it to Save Expenses – In order to avoid poor sound quality and any other disturbance in your car's audio system, just be gentle while using it. Use a soft piece of cloth to wipe of the dust from the audio system.

Tip 37:- Do Not Use Paint Thinner, Fuel, Kerosene or any other Solvent – Usage of these materials might damage the wiper blades.

Tip 38:- No High Wattage Stereo Systems – Such system might affect the car lights. Light might get dimmer or might flicker. In such a case, just get your car's battery &alternator checked.

Tip 39:- Just Maintain The Leather Seat Covers – Just check the seat covers.

Automobile Electrical System

Tip 40:- Check the Car Batteries – One must use maintenance free batteries. The batteries should not have no-start, dim headlights, blinking instrument lights, low charge, acid leaks or ABS malfunction light.

Tip 41:- Break to the Battery – You can do this for better performance of the vehicle. You may disconnect the car's battery for some time. You may also drain the battery with the use of a small light bulb and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.

Tip 42:- Check for Electrical Faults – Just maintain your automotive electrical system to cut down on any kind of electrical faults.

Tip 43:- Cover Exposed Electrical Components – Make sure that the electrical components of your car's engine are covered with any plastic cover to prevent them from getting damaged by water.

Automobile Transmission System

Tip 44:- Check The Automatic Transmission - Make sure the transmission system works properly.

Tip 45:- Use Similar Transmission Fluid As Specified – It is always safer to use the same type of transmission fluid like the one specified in the car's manual. This is so because, different vehicles' engines are sensitive to other fluid type.

Suspension & Steering

Tip 46:- No Playing with Steering Wheel – This is a common habit amongst car drivers. People hold the steering wheel towards extreme right or left for several seconds. This harms the power steering pump. Try not to hold the steering in such a position for longer than few seconds.

Cooling System

Tip 47:- Make Sure You Check Your Car's Air Conditioner – Get your air conditioner tested periodically to avoid major expenses on them. Low refrigerant is the major problem.

Tip 48:- Clean the Condenser – A dirty condenser or contamination because of moisture will also affect the air condenser.

Tip 49:- Radiator Should Be Checked – Carelessness in taking care of radiator might affect the entire automotive cooling system.

Tip 50:- No Obstructed Air Flow – You must look for any obstruction in the air flow of radiator. Just clean debris from the fins.

Link to This Article:< Copy and paste the code below in your Website or Blog

Tip 51:- Check for Radiator Cap – Do not ignore the rusted radiator cap. Change its if th cap is rusted or the seal is dried out.

Tip 52:- Also Check the Pressure Level of the Cap – one must ensure that the radiator cap works ate recommended pressure level.

Tip 53:- First Check the Cooling System – If the engine overheats, then you need to check your automobile cooling system.

Tip 54:- Summers are Troublesome for Cooling System – Special care is required during summer season. Be alert towards different cooling system parts.

Tip 55:- Check for External Leaks - Usual areas of leakage are water manifolds, radiator seams, water pumps, freeze plugs and all hose connections.

Tip 56:- Check for Internal Leaks - Pull the oil dipstick and check for evidence of coolant.

Automotive Lighting System

Tip 57:- Weekly Check of Car Lights - Its is important to check all the lights and automotive bulbs every week.

Tip 58:- Clean the Bulb Lenses – Just clean you vehicle's lens so as to remove the road grime from them. Make sure you never use a dry rag for doing it.

Braking System

Tip 59:- Listen to the Squeaking Noise – The possible cause can be dirt or dust on the brakes.

Tip 60:- No Lubrication on the Brake Friction Surfaces – If brake friction surface comes in contact with oil or any lubricants, it might harm the brakes.

Tip 61:- Use Brake Cleaner – For cleaning automotive brakes, one must use brake cleaner.

Tip 62:- Brake Pads Making Noise Need to be Changed – Is your brake pads are making noise, then just check them. Probably, your braking system needs new ones.

Tip 63:- Sensors & Rotors Should Also be Checked – Just check these auto parts for any defects.

Tip 64:- Quality of Brake Fluid – Always go for good quality brake fluid for your automobile.

Tip 65:- Appropriate Level of Brake Fluid – Always maintain the level of brake fluid in your car.

Tip 66:- Color of Brake Fluid Should be Taken Care Of – Ensure that your vehicle's brake fluid has not turned milky. If so, it means there is contamination in brake fluid that might destroy the master cylinder.

Tip 67:- Drive Easily to Reduce Brake Fade – A common problem with most of the cars. Try avoiding brake fade by driving your car carefully.

Tip 68:- Clean Brakes Just After Car Wash – This practice is highly recommended as it keeps dirt & dust off the pads.

Tip 69:- Get Yourself Acquainted With Your Car's Braking System – This helps you to sense the upcoming problem before the actual problem arrives.

Tip 70:- Brake Discs Also Need Attention – Change them if you are changing your worn out or damaged brake pads.

Tip 71:- Stop The Car First to Shift to Parking or Reverse – It would be dangerous for the vehicle to shift to parking or reverse if the vehicle is still in motion. Let the car come to a halt before you shift to parking or reverse.

Tip 72:- Avoid Shifting from Parking Mode – In order to avoid any damage to the transmission, one should never shift right from the parking mode especially when the rpm of engine exceeds the normal.

Tip 73:- No Dust on Your Brakes – Clean you car brakes regularly to prevent dust from accumulating. If you don't do so, you might invite some repair expenses. Its is easy to clean brakes. Just use some water & a damp sponge.

Tip 74:- Top Off your Brake Fluid - Check brake fluid monthly. Wipe dirt from the master cylinder lid before you open it.

Tip 75:- Care for Anti-lock Brakes - An anti-lock brake system is sensitive to moisture.

Wheels & Tires

Tip 76:- Take the Weight Off the Tires – Just lighten your vehicle at times by putting it on jack stands.

Tip 77:- A Check for Wheel Alignment – Proper alignment of auto wheels is very important.

Tip 78:- Look for Embedded Stones In Auto Tires – If you keep an eye on you car's tires and check it for any unwanted object like glass pieces or stones imbedded into them, this would help you save the tires from damage or leakage.

Tip 79:- Watch the Potholes – You need to be careful in driving on a broken road and will have to definitely try to avoid them. Do not let your car jump into these potholes.

Tip 80:- Never Hit Tires While Parking – this can be a test to your driving skills. Ensure that you never hit the tires against curb or run over curbs at the time of parking of car.

Tip 81:- Check Your Tread Depth – You need to keep a check on tread depth. Replace the tires, if it is too low.

Tip 82:- Keep an Eye on the Automotive Tires – Check your cars tires for the proper air pressure. Excess or lack of air pressure, both of them affect the tires. So, its is very important to keep proper air pressure in the car tires.

Tip 83: Get Your Car Tire Rotated – Automobile manufacturers suggest that one should get their car tires rotated after every 9,000 to 15,000 miles. Rotation of tires helps in uniform wearing of car tires.

Automotive Gauge

Tip 84:- Automotive Gauges Check – Monthly checks should be done to make sure your car's gauges are functioning smoothly.

General Car Maintenance Tips

Tip 85:- Don't Bang The Car Door – Well, this is common amongst various people across the globe. Whenever you have to shut the door, close it behind you softly.

Tip 86:- Park Your Car Always in Shade - Ensure that your car is parked in the shade so that UV sunlight, heat as well as harsh climatic conditions do not cause damage to the car's exterior.

Tip 87:- Don't Panic If You Get Stuck – In case your car gets stuck in snowy regions or muddy area, don't attempt to free the car in a hurry. Never spin your automotive tires at highest speed to come out. This may worsen the situation further and may also damage auto parts like clutch, transmissions and differentials. An easy solution is to carry a traction aid like gravel, cat litter, etc.

Tip 89:- Careful Driving Pays – Its a tried and tested formula. The more love you shower on your dear ones, the more returns you get. Same implies to your vehicle. If you drive with care everyday, your car will surely stand by you for years without major repair expenses.

Tip 90:- The Right Start-Up Makes the Difference – You are sure to ruin your vehicle's engine, if you race during start-up of the car. Don't do this to avoid any harm to the vehicle.

Tip 91:- Always Accelerate Slowly – When you begin your drive, you should always accelerate slowly for some time. This helps the engine and other automotive parts to gain momentum and come into operation.

Tip 92:- Use Original Auto Parts Always – If you opt for local or non-branded automotive components and parts, you might have pay for the expenses later.

Tip 93:- Check Your Car's Heater/ Defroster – This is important especially for cars in colder regions. Make sure automotive parts like heater or defroster function properly.

Tip 94:- No Excessive Load – Carrying heavy load on your car's rooftop will definitely harmful for your vehicle. Try not to exceed the load limit that is specified in the car's manual.

Tip 95:- Shift to Neutral at Longer Red Lights – This way you will put less strain on your car's engine and its transmission system. If you don't do this, the engine is still working thus exerting pressure on your car.

Tip 96:- No Frequent Usage of Accelerator – While driving, it is suggested not to use accelerator every now or then.

Tip 97:- Park Your Car Always in Shade - Ensure that your car is parked in the shade so that UV sunlight, heat as well as harsh climatic conditions do not cause damage to the car's exterior.

Tip 98:- Do Not Delay In Repair - Fix any small problem right away before it causes a serious damage.

Tip 99:- While Driving please Maintain Proper Distance With Other Cars On Road – This way, you would definitely save your car from scratches, damage and definitely save yourself from accidents.

Tip 100:- Follow Maintenance Schedule – Every carmaker suggests a proper car maintenance schedule. What you need to do is that just, follow this maintenance schedule honestly.

Tip 101:- Love & Care for Your Darling Car – Last but not the least, just love your car. Love it to get love (that is hassle free performance) all your life.

Link to This Article:< Copy and paste the code below in your Website or Blog