When it comes to driving an older vehicle it’s extremely important to know what to look for when inspecting for wear and tear. Your car may sound and feel like it’s running it’s best, but do you really know what’s going on with the mechanics of your car? There are 7 things to keep an eye out for when keeping up with the maintenance on your car: Tires, oil, windows, brakes, interior and fluids. Follow these eight steps and you could avoid some serious problems down the road, in turn saving you time and money!
Tires
Every car and tire has a suggested tire pressure measured in PSI (Pounds per Square Inch.) It’s vital you keep your tire pressure to the suggested PSI for several different reasons. Having your tire pressure too low can result in excessive use of fuel and affect your acceleration. If your tire pressure is too high, you risk having a blow-out and you will have less traction on the road.
Checking your tire pressure is easy! If you don’t have a gauge at home, find a gas station or service area that has a air pump. More times than none there will be a gauge on the handle of the pump. The key is to check before you fill and after. You might over inflate the first few times you do this. If this happens, simply depress the thin needle inside your tires air valve to release some of the air.
Checking Your Oil
Think of your cars oil as the blood that flows through your veins. Your car needs oil for the engine to properly rotate without getting seized. Checking your oil is fairly simple; every car has a “dipstick” that goes into your cars engine. Pull it out and wipe the bottom of it clean with a towel. Then, place the dipstick back, and pull it out once more. Doing this will allow you to see your cars oil level and cleanliness.
It’s also important to change your car’s oil every 5,000km or 4 months. Some manufacturers will suggest higher mileage between oil changes, but the general rule of thumb is every 5,000km. REMEMBER: if your car is still under a warranty, you may need to keep your oil change receipts as proof of maintenance to maintain your coverage.
Windows and Mirrors
Though these seem like something you don’t need to maintain, they are some of the most important tools your car has. Without your windows, you couldn’t properly see where you’re going. Without your mirrors, you couldn’t see everything that is around you. Replace cracked mirrors as soon as possible. Check all of your windows and light caps for dings or cracks. If your windshield has a small hole, a glass service centre will be able to fill in the hole to avoid a spreading crack. If you have a crack in your windshield, have it replaced immediately. Light flashing through cracks in glass can get magnified and blind you temporarily. Think safety first, and have your glass and mirrors fixed on your vehicle.
BBB: Belts, Battery and Brakes
These three B’s are essential to the acceleration and deceleration of your car. You want to ensure that these three things are in tip-top shape before you hit the road.
Belts:
Belts can often wear out or loosen, resulting in a squealing sound. If you hear this noise, have your car serviced immediately.
Battery:
Check your battery once a month for corrosion. Avoid running the battery’s life down by leaving the “accessories” on when parked, or by boosting. These things take life away from your battery which leads to needing a replacement. Eventually your battery’s life will come to an end. Do not fear, a battery is fairly simple to change and not too costly. Once you replace it, you should be ok for quite a few years.
Brakes:
Brakes are the most important safety mechanism in your car! Cars can travel at very high speeds and it’s important you have a properly maintained braking system on your side. Should you ever hear and strange noises coming from your brakes or when you apply your brakes, we urge you to have them serviced. Brakes are intended to be replaced periodically to ensure maximum braking efficiency.
Interior
Show some pride for your ride! Clean and vacuum the inside your car as much as needed. This seems unnecessary for the maintenance of your vehicle, but it’s very important. When buying a car people are influenced by how clean your car looks, and if it looks like it’s been taken care of. Keep your car looking spotless to assure the highest resale value possible!
Fluids
Coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and other fluids must be checked a few times a month. Check with your regular service centre to see how to check and change these fluids, or leave it to the pros!
Lights
Checking your lights is extremely important for your safety, and the safety of others. Have someone walk around your car while you test your your brake lights, signal lights, headlights and high beams. This can also be done if parked in front of a window or a mirror. Another thing worth checking is the alignment of your headlights. Your lights should point slightly down, and slightly outwards.
Wipers
Changing your windshield wipers is a breeze! Every pack you buy comes with specific instructions on how to take them apart and mount them on different types of hooks. Change your wipers as needed. This means when you have reduced visibility when wiping away the rain (or all that snow that falls here in Ottawa), get rid of the old set and replace them with a new one.
Following these tips should help you maximize the life of your car, and keep you and the others around you safe on the road. For any other concerns about your vehicles well being, make sure to visit your nearest service centre and have a professional diagnose the problem.
Looking for Local Car Maintenance? Visit these Ottawa Maintenance Specialists:
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[column size=”1/3″]Jim Dickinson
Ottawa Repairs[/column]
[column size=”1/3″]2599 Carling Avenue
Ottawa Ontario
K2B 7H7
Phone: 613 721 6244
Email: jim@jimdickinsonautotech.com
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