Anyone who purchases a new or used car has every intention of getting the most out of their vehicle. Among other things, this means keeping it in drivable condition for as long as possible, or at least until they can upgrade to a car that has better features and capabilities. Yet many car owners simply don’t take the measures necessary to maximize the lifespan of their vehicle, and, as a result, they encounter serious mechanical problems that could have been avoided with a little preventative maintenance.
Check Your Owner’s Manual
Most of us are guilty of not paying too much attention to the owner’s manual that comes with our vehicles. We are all just raring to get behind the wheel and take it for a spin. The thing is that there are a lot of information in the owner’s manual that pertains to how you can optimize the performance and functioning of your vehicle. It also gives you information on the things that need to be checked, how these should be checked, what manifestations or signs and symptoms you need to assess, and when you need to perform these checks. There are also recommendations on what models or types of parts and accessories you can put into your car.
As you will see in our succeeding presentations, we will always refer you back to the car maintenance checklist that is printed on the pages of the owner’s manual. Things like tire pressure, the type of light bulb to use in headlights and signal lights, as well as the type of oil you need to put into your engine, among others are all found in your owner’s manual. If the vehicle you bought doesn’t come with a manual, as is often the case in second-hand vehicles, you can still obtain a copy of the manual from the vehicle manufacturer itself. Alternatively, you can search the internet and download the owner’s manual of your vehicle.
Learn the meaning of different warning light indicators
Modern cars have sophisticated sensors and warning systems that notify you that something is amiss. Even with meticulous inspections and maintenance, it is inadvertent that you’ll be able to cover all of them. That is why, as part of basic car maintenance, you need to learn the meaning of the different warning light indicators that flash on your instrument panel.
Rotate Your Tires
While we’re about tires, you should try to have them rotated periodically. If you’re not clear on what this means, the practice of tire rotation involves taking off each tire and putting it back in another location: e.g., switching the left and right tires. The purpose of this is to ensure that the tires sustain wear evenly, which extends their lifespan.
Check drive belts
Your engine does not only produce power to your wheels so your vehicle will run. It also generates power so that other parts and accessories run as well. This is the function of drive belts. They transfer power from your cam or crankshaft to the car’s alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, air pump, water pump, and any other device that relies on mechanical power. Modern cars use a single belt (also known as serpentine belt) to connect and rotate from the crank pulley. Unfortunately, because these belts are typically made of rubber or other polymers, they do wear a lot even with normal use. Over time, they lose their integrity and simply degrade. As such, it is important to check these belts from time to time to inspect for visible hairline cracks or any change in their integrity. You will need to look at the integrity of both your serpentine belt or V-belt and your timing belt (unless your engine is chain-driven). You also need to know the differences between the three.
Use Good Quality Carports:
A carport provides shelter for your vehicle. People and pets aren’t the only things that need shelter from the elements. Besides a home, an automobile is usually considered to be one of the more important investments you make. A carport is a shelter constructed from wood, metals or other materials. It tends to take the place of a garage.
Author Bio: Amy Lara
With a passion for metal home, Interior & exterior that stems over 10 years, Amy has become an esteemed author. Throughout her life, Amy has studied about the metals, home Interior and worked around the world to explore new types of metal buildings designed those are easy to structure and show their unique styles. Her goal is to explore new home designs and provide people with the ultimate architecture. By sharing her knowledge with Carport Central, Amy has helped and continues to help people to get better homes and metal garages ever.
