There are many things that you can do to keep your vehicle running smoothly. However, it is not always an easy task. There are many different parts of a vehicle that can break down. Therefore, it is important to know what you are looking for underneath the hood of your car.
The first regular maintenance item that you should take care of regularly is oil changes. Getting regular oil changes is one of the best ways to ensure that your car stays running smoothly. Oil keeps your engine from overheating due to friction by putting a slippery barrier between the moving parts of the engine. It is important because as the car goes through its life cycle, it builds up dirt and grime inside of the engine. The engine uses an oil filter to clear the dirt out of the engine. However, these filters eventually become clogged, and dirt circulates through the engine. This can be terrible for your engine. Therefore, it is important to change the oil filter and oil every 3,000 miles.
Another regular maintenance item not that should not be overlooked, is spark plugs. Spark plugs are what enables your engine to make power. They ignite gasoline inside of your engine. Without these spark plugs, it would be impossible for your car to charter you around town. These spark plugs eventually stop working due to carbon building up on them. There is no simple way to clean these plugs. Therefore, replacing them in regular intervals is the best way to ensure that your car makes steady power for many years to come. Spark plugs should be replaced every 50,000 miles.
The next thing that you should take care of is transmission and cooling system flushes. Your car’s transmission takes the power that your engine makes, and sends it to the wheels of your car. Without the transmission, the engine would only allow the car to go around 10 miles an hour. However, the transmission takes a significant amount of punishment. Therefore, it is important to keep the transmission’s fluid changed every 15,000 miles. Good transmission fluid should be bright red and thick. A thin, brown color indicates fluid that is worn out. Your car’s cooling system is imperative to keeping your engine from overheating. An overheating engine can completely seize up and stop working. Therefore, keeping your cooling system fresh is extremely important. Good coolant should protect you from boiling, as well as freezing. Good coolant will ensure that your engine stays at a proper operating temperature.
The next thing that you should take care of is your fuel system. Most modern engines are equipped with fuel injectors that squirt fuel directly into the engine. However, these injectors can get clogged by dirt and carbon. If these injectors get clogged, they will no longer perform their duties. Therefore, getting your fuel injection system cleaned out every 15,000 miles can prolong the life of your vehicle. In addition, this service can save you on gas, which is extremely important in today’s world.
Another thing to consider is tire rotation. Tires do not wear exactly the same on every wheel. This means that if you leave a tire on a wheel too long, it can prematurely wear out. In order to keep your tires as long as possible, you must keep your tires rotated. Most places will rotate your tires front to back, which will almost double the life of your tires. In addition, many places will check your tire pressure when they perform your tire rotation. This service can increase your fuel economy, which can save you lots of money on gas.
It is extremely important to keep your car running smoothly. It is your way to work, and transportation for your children to school. Therefore, do not hesitate to take your car to the shop before something goes wrong. Do not wait until you are broken down on the side of the road.