CAR MAINTENANCE: 5 GREAT TIPS TO KEEP YOUR VEHICLE LIKE NEW!
You don't need to be a mechanic or a perfect handyman to take care of your vehicle! A good maintenance of your car , passes above all by simple daily gestures. This will give your titin better performance, longer life and greater safety. Significant savings are also the key for any owner of a pampered vehicle! Indeed, the risk of breakdown and accident is considerably reduced thanks to the regular monitoring of your car. This will allow you to reduce maintenance costs and prevent you from being stranded by the side of the road! This, whatever the model of your car to be maintained, sedan , station wagon , convertible , or asmall city car .
It will also be easier to sell it later if it is kept in good condition ... Here are 5 great tips for maintaining your car properly.
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE OF THE CAR:
It is very important to wash the exterior of your car regularly, especially the bodywork, to preserve the condition of the paintwork, especially if you do not have a garage. Pressure jet washing is most recommended. A polishing product will also guarantee lasting protection for the varnish. If you want to repair a scratch on the body yourself, different products will be necessary: degreaser, paint, resin and polisher. Protective wax can also prevent small scratches from dust, washing rollers, etc. Prevent rust from setting in by treating chippings and other blisters. In addition, avoid exposing your vehicle too much to the sun, to preserve your bodywork, but also the mechanics.
Also treat your windshield with a protective cleaner and regularly replace the wiper blades. To give your car a real makeover, you can also deoxidize your headlights yourself. This involves cleaning the headlights that have become opaque over time (dust, mud, insects, etc.) and which end up blurring the lighting a little. You can use hot water and soap. For a more thorough cleaning of yellow headlights, use a polish.
And don't wait to replace the blown headlight bulbs, as well as the fuses. Lighting is essential for your safety when driving at night or in fog. The fuses also protect various electrical functions of your vehicle, such as the windshield wipers, the fan, etc. Having a small reserve of spare fuses allows you not to be unprepared if necessary.
CLEAN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT:
The interior should not be left out! This, to allow you to drive in pleasant conditions and to give a good image of the general condition of your car! Wipe a rag over the dashboard to dust it off. Also, a vacuum cleaner on the floor mats, the carpet and the seats, after the summer holidays in particular. You know, when you feel like all the sand from the beach has crept into your car ... It is very important to pay particular attention to the maintenance of the carpet at the driver's level. If it is damaged, it allows more moisture to pass through and increases the risk of corrosion of the floor.
On the other hand, certain products make it possible to absorb bad smells (animals, tobacco, etc.). You can also repair the seats with holes using a cleaning product, microfiber cloth in the color of the seat, glue, etc. Clean the stains as quickly as possible so that they do not become encrusted! You can also waterproof the seats with preventive treatments. This can be important if you have children for example!
Consider replacing the possibly defective car radio, before reselling your car to a private individual (link to the article concerned?). This is indeed a very important asset for the sale of a used car .
CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES:
Checking tire condition is essential as part of regular car maintenance. Your safety is at stake, as is fuel consumption. Regularly check the tire pressure for good road holding. Also examine the wear (depth of grooves, cracks, dents, etc.) and if necessary replace your wheels to ensure perfect grip on the ground. These include reducing aquaplaning in rainy weather or avoiding punctures!
CHECK THE OIL AND BRAKE FLUID LEVELS:
Every 1000 km or so, check that the oil level is sufficient, in order to promote longer life for your engine. The method: open the hood, pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a rag. Then put the dipstick back in place, pull it out again, and observe where the oil level is. This must be above the “Min” marker (Minimum level). Top up if necessary. Too much oil can mean that there is a problem with the engine sealing. The good thing to do: lean under the car every morning to check for a leak!
Do not forget to also check the brake fluid: if the level drops abnormally, there may be a leak in the brake circuit. Also, inspect the brake response when depressing the pedal hard, at low speed and on an open road. Also check the coolant, as well as the washer. This is a very important security element.
CARRY OUT REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND CAR INSPECTIONS:
It is essential to carry out regular oil changes, in accordance with the maintenance book for your car. This makes it possible to ensure a good quality of the oil present in the engine, the role of which is to lubricate the moving parts and to limit the friction between them, but also to remove the dirt.
You can do this yourself or at a garage. The latter can also perform a complete overhaul of your vehicle. This will allow you to anticipate possible breakdowns by locating defective components: brake pads, exhaust system, suspension, shock absorbers, running gear, battery, spark plugs, gearbox, etc. The car service is also a good way to prepare your car for the technical control.
