Basic Car Maintenance Tips

I received a requests to provide some very simple car maintenance tips. So here we go...

The information contained in this post is for educational purposes only and cannot substitute for the advice of professional mechanic or authorized dealer. I've tried to describe some of the car maintenance tasks in a very simple, easy to understand manner. I covered only few basic items. Don't attempt to service your car if you don't have proper knowledge and tools, you can be injured and your vehicle could be damaged.

 Few basic car maintenance tips

• Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in a good shape.
• Wash your car regularly, wax it once in a while to keep the car body shiny and free from corrosion.
• Take care of any minor concerns, so it won't cause serious problems and an expensive repair later.

• Use only original parts.

How to check the engine oil

Place your car at the level spot. Stop the engine. Wait for a while to let the engine oil to pour down to the oil pan. Pull
the engine oil dipstick. Check the oil level. Check the oil condition: If it's way too black, it's definitely time to change it. If it's slightly-brown, it's O.K. If it's dark-brown, but still transparent, it's admissible but it's better to change it soon. If it's white (coffee with milk color) it means the engine coolant mixes with the engine oil because of some internal engine problem, have your car inspected. It would be better to add the same type and brand of the engine oil as you already have in the engine. Add a little amount of the oil. Wait for a minute to let the oil to pour down. Check the oil level again with the dipstick. If it's still low, add some more. But don't overfill it. Don't forget to install the dipstick back and close the oil filler cap when you finished.

Check the tire pressure regularly

Check tire pressure at least once a month. You can find the recommended tire pressure  on the tire pressure placard (see photo), which might be located somewhere on the car (e.g. on the driver's door opening, inside the gas tank, inside the glove box). The maximum pressure listed on tires is NOT the proper pressure!
Rotate tires at every second oil change - it will insure all tires wear equally. Feel vibration at cruising speed? - have your tires balanced.  There is a safe limit of the tread wear. If the tire is worn below this limit it's unsafe to drive; your mechanic can check your tires for you. Uneven tire wear indicates alignment problem.
Improper alignment causes increased tire and suspension components wear and poor handling. In worst case, improper alignment may throw your car into a skid, especially on a wet or slippery road. If a car pulls aside, wanders or feels unstable on the road, have the alignment checked. Properly done alignment will make your car's ride a lot more enjoyable.

Engine coolant

Low coolant level will cause engine overheating, which may cause serious damage to the engine.How to check the engine coolant level: The coolant level should be between "LOW" and "FULL" marks in the coolant overflow tank as in the picture. If it's lower, top it up. If there is no coolant in overflow tank or you have to top it up quite often, have your car inspected in the garage, possibly there is a coolant leak.
Never open the radiator or coolant overflow tank when the engine is hot! When engine temperature is reduced (few minutes after the engine has been turned off) , simply add a coolant into the overflow tank to "FULL" mark.
 
Taking care of small concerns in time may save you a lot more
 
As soon as you feel there is something wrong with your car like any kind of irregular noise, vibration, shimmer, or you note some leak or any warning light comes on while driving or anything that seems to be irregular - have your car inspected at a dealer or a garage as soon as you can - it might be unsafe to drive. It's definitely better to check any small problem before it will cause something serious.
 
Regular mechanical inspection
 
For your safety, I recommend to have your car inspected regularly, at least once a year, by a mechanic. I mean not just visual inspection by one of the fast lube places, but a mechanic that can lift your car and check major components such as brakes, suspension, etc., while having your tires rotated, for example. This is because many components (e.g ball joints), can not be inspected visually.

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