If you are a car owner or are planning to own a car, then know this – you will have to do some work on your car sometimes or another. Now you might be thinking, well, I am not an engineer. How do I maintain my car? Well, don’t you worry; not everyone is an engineer, and neither do you need to be. Here are 7 easy car maintenance tips that every car owner should know about. This will help you get started on working on your car and will help keep your car healthy and wise in the long run will save some cash.
1. Checking the Car Tire Pressure
What makes your car go places? If you said the tires, you would be correct. So most importantly, every car owner should be able to check the tire pressure on their vehicles.
This is a really easy task. Simply take off the valve-stem cap and firmly place a gauge over the end. Make sure it fits snugly to prevent air leaks at the borders, which might result in an incorrect measurement. Now, it’s advisable to maintain the factory-recommended pressure, which is shown on a sign and is often located near the driver’s-side door jamb. Also, you can check the tire pressure mentioned in the car manual. Inflate or deflate accordingly.
2. Knowing How to Change Tires
Keeping on the subject of tires, every car owner should know how to change a tire in case of a flat. Temporary spares are becoming less and less popular in favor of emergency inflation kits that take up less room and weigh less. Even so, being able to jack up a car, remove a punctured tire, and install a spare is a valuable skill to know, particularly if you wind up in a place without mobile coverage.
3. Performing Oil Checks
Engine oil is another crucial part of a vehicle that you should know how to check. And if you don’t drive an electric car, which has crankcases filled with grease, or a contemporary BMW, which lacks dipsticks, it’s really simple to check.
It’s simple to keep a check on the oil. Ensure only that the car is parked on a somewhat flat surface. Wait a few minutes if you’ve just parked it since the oil could not have entirely drained back into the pan, giving a misleading reading. After that, remove the dipstick, clean it with a cloth or piece of paper towel, and re-insert it into the original tube. Then read the level by taking it out once again. If the oil level shows below the “low” then you know it’s time to add some more.
However, in this situation, more is not necessarily better. Aeration and other problems can result from having too much oil in an engine, which is just as harmful as having too little. As long as you stay within the lines, you’ll be good.
4. Adding Oil
Just checking the oil level might not cut it; you will need to add some too. Just look for the filler cap, choose the right viscosity of oil, and pour a little into it. After about a minute, check the dipstick once more. Add tiny quantities until the proper level is reached to prevent overfilling. Though this does vary, most car engines require four to five quarts. For specifics, make sure to consult the owner’s handbook.
To go one step further, you may also replace the oil and filter, which is often not that hard. Alternatively, if you want to sell your car, you can reach out to We Buy Any Vehicle to sell any vehicle.
5. Changing the Air Filters
Pretty sure you would not like to be choked out of air. Neither does your car engine. Internal combustion is simply impossible without an oxygen supply that is free to flow. And for that reason, it’s crucial to monitor the air filter in your car.
The location of the air filter will vary depending on the vehicle, however, in many modern automobiles and trucks, the air filter is frequently hidden behind a large rectangular enclosure, with the top secured by screws or clips. Simply snap it off to get to the filter itself. It should be simple to put the new one in, but be sure to keep the old one’s orientation in mind. To trap the most dirt, the pleats must face the incoming air.
6. Jump Starting a Vehicle
You should know how to jump-start a vehicle in case the battery dies out on you. To do this you’ll need some wires, a fully charged vehicle (or a portable jump starter), and some basic technical knowledge.
The most crucial aspect of doing this is being careful to NOT mix up the leads. A negative must be connected to a negative, a positive must be connected to a positive terminal. If reversed, VERY BAD things can happen. To avoid this just remember; Red stands for +ve and Black for -ve. Additionally, because the negative side of modern vehicles is grounded in the engine and body structure, an engine bracket or other metal element of the body can be used in place of a terminal if necessary. If in doubt, simply, choose the battery.
7. Adding Windshield Water and Changing Windshield Wipers
Washer fluid aids in keeping road filth and muck off of your car’s windscreen. Fortunately, maintaining a steady supply of this refreshing-looking but toxic liquid in the reservoir is quite easy. Simply raise the hood and search for a cap with a windshield icon on it; these are often blue or yellow for simple identification. Simply pop it and fill ‘em up.
Additionally, you might need to change or swap windshield wipers altogether. Swapping them is simply because they clip into place. The blades are frequently released by pressing a tiny button, however, occasionally they drop into a hook at the end of the arm. Give it a try the next time they’re smearing rather than wiping; in any case, changing the blades shouldn’t be too challenging.
So there you have it, 7 easy maintenance tips that every car owner should know. These will make your life a lot easier and keep your car running for years.