Car DIY Maintenance Tips!

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Understand Your Car

The first thing as a car owner or user is to know your car inside out. You must be aware of the features and elements of your car to ensure the right way you can fix a minor fault in the car. You do not have to rely on a mechanic or someone to help you in circumstances where you are stuck somewhere with your car.

Here are a few tips and tricks that you can keep in mind that will help you take care of your car better to give you a complete and satisfied driving experience.

Learn How to Maintain Tyre Pressure

This is one of the easiest things you can figure out in your car. Maintaining the right tyre pressure is essential in maintaining the functioning and performance of your car. Ensure your tyres are not overinflated or underinflated because neither can be bad for the overall performance of your car.

Maintaining the right tyre pressure will lead to fuel efficiency and thus help you save money on fuel.

Also, learn to figure out if the car tyres are punctured or need to be inflated with air. In case of a puncture, take the car to a mechanic or a puncture shop and get it fixed immediately.

Check Your Wiper Blades

Driving your car in the rain is a task in itself – imagine if your wiper blades don’t do their job the right way. Your vision through the windshield will tamper and you will not be able to make out what is in front of your car. To avoid such a situation, you must check your wiper blades before the monsoon season hits.

Check for any unwanted noise or vibrations from the wipers. They are supposed to function smoothly. Any judder or sound can indicate that the blades have been worn out and need to be changed. Also, check if there are any tears in the rubber of the wiper blades and check if they need to be replaced.

Examine the Air Filters

It is wise to check your air filters annually. Especially if your car has been driven for more than 10000 km.

Check the air filter, which is typically in a plastic box that has a hose running out of it. Undo the metal clips on the sides of the box and open it to see the air filters. Take out the air filter and check its condition. If there is debris falling out or if the filter looks faded and dirty, it's best to replace it with a new one.

Inspect the Oil Levels

The oil levels in your car must be checked every time you give the car for service. However, there are times you can check it yourself. Keep the engine off when you check the oil levels in your car. You can find the dipstick when you open the front hood of the car. Put the dipstick into the oil tank and check for the level. Wipe the oil off from the end of the dipstick and analyse the level of oil it’s got on it. Now, put back the dipstick into its tube and push it inside. At the tip of the dipstick, you will see two lines: the lower one indicates that the oil level is one quart low. The upper line denotes that the car's oil tank is full. Some dipsticks are also marked with words like "full" and "add."

Check and Top Up Fluids

This is a rather simple yet vital step while caring for your car. You can see that older model cars break down quicker because of deficit car fluid. You must check your car fluids every now and then to maintain your car properly.

How to inspect car fluids:

• Locate the transmission fluid dipstick.
• Pull out the dipstick.
• Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth.
• Put the dipstick in and check for the oil stain level.
• The level of oil stain should fall between the indicator lines.
• Check the colour of the fluid.

Normal car fluids to examine are the engine oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. You can even examine if the water to clean the windshield is low. Automatic transmission fluid must be checked with the engine running, ideally after at least 10 or 15 minutes of driving.

Keep an Eye on Those Wheels!

There were many instances in the late 1990s when the wheels simply came off the vehicle. Mechanics ever since have been warning car users to keep an eye on the wheels and their nuts and bolts! It is wise to check on the wheel now and then for loose nuts and bolts. Even if you are not aware of fixing the bolts yourself, you can always get it done by a mechanic – at least you figured out the fault in time and that’s a bonus!

Know Your Car Battery

Here are quick and easy ways you can find out if your car battery is dying on you!

• Your car does not start at all.
• Headlights and power work but the car does not start.
• The radio does not work.
• The battery size is swollen.
• The odd odour from the battery.
• The lifetime of the battery is nearing an end – a battery lasts up to 5 years maximum depending on the brand and model.
• Engine light flashes
• The car starts but dies immediately.

Once you are sure that your car battery has died, take it to a mechanic to either recharge it or replace it with a new one.

How to Replace Cabin Air Filter

Your car’s blower motor can be harmed due to a blocked cabin air filter. This can cause the AC to run harder and for longer period of time, especially during summer. The cabin air filters can be easily located and replaced.

You can find them in the air ducts behind the glove box in older vehicles. A few cars also have them placed in the console area or cowling area. You can replace the filters with new ones or clean the old ones.

Keep the Carpet Clean

You must keep the insides of your car clean and dust-free. Dusting and cleaning the carpets of the cabin often can help maintain the interiors better. Also, it will be hazardous if you have dust built up inside the cabin and when the air conditioner is used. Deep clean the carpets and the upholstery. Use a vacuum cleaner and remove any dust in the car.

Keep the Seats Clean

Always make sure your seats are clean and dust-free. Use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum any dust and dirt from the seats to maintain hygiene and cleanliness on the insides of your car.

Wrapping Up

Maintaining your car is in your hands and you do not have to necessarily depend on a mechanic to do so. There are certain tasks you can do yourself to keep the car running smoothly and neat. Learn the basics of maintaining a car so that you are never caught up in a situation where you don’t know what to do.