10 Best Car Maintenance Tips for Every Car Owner in India
Regular maintenance of the car is critical to keep it in smooth running condition for a long time without frequent repairs or unwanted breakdowns on the road. If you are a pro driver or a beginner, these easy maintenance tips are crucial for every car owner for the overall performance of your car.
So, here are the 10 essential car maintenance tips that every owner should follow.
1. Check engine oil level
Engine oil level is to be inspected regularly, and replacement should be done as recommended in the car’s owner manual. On-time changing of engine oil will avoid abnormal wear and tear of engine mechanical parts. It is suggested to check the oil level before you plan for a long drive or if there is any leakage observed under the engine compartment.
2. Tire pressure check
Maintaining proper pressure in all tires of a car is highly important for better fuel efficiency, road grip, and to avoid uneven tire wear. Improper tire pressure can also make the steering wheel feel heavy, and vehicle handling on the road would be very difficult.
It is recommended to keep appropriate tire pressure as per the manufacturer, and the tire pressure values can be accessed on the tire placard by opening the right-side driver door in most of the car models.
This helpful digital tire pressure gauge from Amazon can make the tire pressure checking job effortless.
3. Air Filter Replacement
The air filter is one of the most essential parts for the car’s engine, which always restricts the entry of dust particles into the engine. Over time, the air filter will get clogged by the dust or dirt, which reduces the air flow and directly affect the engine performance/fuel efficiency.
Periodic replacement of the air filter can make a noticeable change in engine performance.
4. Check Other Fluids
The other fluids to be checked on a regular basis apart from engine oil are transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid in vehicles with a hydraulic power steering system.
Frequently check these fluids for any leakages and do the top-ups if necessary with the correct grade fluids.
5. Tire Rotation
In FWD vehicles, front tires wear out quicker than the rear, and in RWD vehicles, rear tires. Most car manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 kilometers. Regular tire rotation habits will increase the tire life and ensure uniform wear on all 4 tires.
It’s a simple maintenance task that can save you money in the long run by extending the life of tires.
6. Keep an Eye on Battery Health
A battery with corroded terminals or cables can drain rapidly and may fail at any point. This will lead to jump-starting the vehicle every time when the engine doesn’t crank. Check the battery terminals regularly for corrosion, i.e., white or greenish powder formation. If any such cases arise, clean them using a mixture of baking soda and water. Furthermore, inspect the battery for any signs of damage or leakage and replace it if necessary.
You can buy this Philips battery jump starter tool from Amazon to jump-start the vehicle during a complete battery discharge condition.
7. Replace Wiper Blades
The wiper blade is most important during the rainy season and to maintain clear visibility of the windshield glass. They can wear out over time, causing streaking, skipping, or reduced cleaning abilities. Always replace them with new blades if you find any line formation on windshield glass due to dirty or hard wiper rubber.
Also, while parking the vehicle outside during a sunny day, make sure to keep the wiper blades in a lifted condition to increase the blade life.
Always add wiper washer shampoo to your car wiper tank for better cleaning results of the windshield.
8. Check all lights/indicators.
Check all exterior lights (headlights, brake lights, and turn indicators) regularly for their functioning to ensure visibility and safety on the road. If any of the bulbs are found burnt out, replace them immediately without any delay.
9. Exterior Cleaning
Regular car washing not only makes your car appear good, but it also protects the paint from dirt and salt that can cause rust over time. In addition to the car wash, also carry out waxing at least twice a year to maintain a layer to protect the paint surface.
Always make sure to wipe out the water from the car body after every wash to avoid water holding near the weatherstrip and other locations, which can lead to rust formation.
10. Check for Malfunction indicators
Your car's instrument cluster is the main source for the driver to monitor overall health of the car. It indicates the driver with different warning lights for the specific system.
If any warning light turns ON, the same should be rectified from the authorized workshop to avoid further damages.
Conclusion
With the above 10 simple car maintenance tips, you can ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly without any hurdles on the road. Regular inspection not only saves you money in the long run but also increases your safety and driving comfort.
Make car maintenance a regular habit so that it can make every journey of yours as memorable.
Happy motoring and enjoy the ride!
