Car ownership is so much more than putting petrol or diesel in the tank and occasionally running your car through a car wash. There are a number of basic maintenance tips that motorists should know. Knowledge of how to look after your car has the potential to protect your car against the potential of breakdowns or accidents. Here are three basic car maintenance tips that everyone should know.
How to Perform Tune-Ups
One of the most frequently overlooked, yet necessary car maintenance tips is make sure that you perform tune ups at regular intervals. This will guarantee that your car performs to its optimal capacity, and therefore save you money in the long term. It’s estimated that poorly tuned cars consume as much as thirty percent more gasoline annually compared to well-tuned cars.
Check the Fluid Levels
The fluid level should be checked regularly. Indeed, some motorists believe that a car’s fluid levels should be checked as often as once a week. This is especially apparent for older cars.
There are a number of car components that owners should keep a weather eye on. From brake fluids, the radiator and coolant to clutch fluids and automatic transmission fluids, not to mention the battery, it’s essential that car owners be aware of what is happening in their engine.
Should you discover that any of these fluids are depleting then you may notice the vehicle begin to perform poorly. You may become a danger to yourself and others on the road.
Check the Tyre Pressure
It’s paramount that the tyre pressure be routinely reviewed each month. Should you find that the tyres are insufficiently inflated, this may result in poor car performance. Studies have shown that for every pound that tyres are under inflated your vehicle can lose as much as four percent of its efficiency. This is thanks to the drag created by having under inflated tyres.
The importance of having a properly maintained car cannot be understated. Neglecting your car will inevitably result in poor performance and unreliability, and at worst, may be the direct cause of an accident.