Every driver will tell you that the most important thing to ensure road safety is car maintenance. However, learners and other first-time drivers may not fully comprehend the magnitude of car maintenance. They are often too excited to drive the car that they almost forget to do basic maintenance checks before they ignite the engine and speed off.
In this article, we are going to highlight valuable tips that learners should use to take better care of their cars.
Let’s delve into specifics.
- Car insurance
This is not a daily maintenance tip but it is one of the first steps car owners take to ensure the safety of their vehicles.
Car insurance covers damages in the event of an accident. The best car insurance in Australia offers a variety of covers to suit your needs. Whether it is a comprehensive or collision cover, the type of cover you opt for depends on the kind of damages you would want catered for by your insurance company.
- Check your oil regularly
For a car engine to run at optimum levels, regular oil changes have to be done. The main function of the oil is to keep the various parts that make up the engine to run cohesively, at maximum efficiency, and with minimum friction.
As the car moves day after day, the oil becomes dirty due to a buildup of impurities. When you buy a car, it is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions to know how often the oil should be changed.
- Rotate your tires and regularly check air pressure
One of the most important parts of a car is its wheels. They help in accelerating, turning, and breaking. As such, worn out tires are risky as they are prone to bursts. They also expose the driver and passengers to dangers of skidding in bad weather.
So, it is a great idea to rotate your tires from time to time and regularly check air pressure. Additionally, you should get your steering wheel professionally aligned twice or thrice annually to minimize the likelihood of accidents.
- Replace worn out brake pads
Car brakes are responsible for bringing you to a halt when you want to stop or in case of an emergency. With time, brake pads tend to wear out and it is only right to replace them.
Make a habit of always checking the thickness of your brake pads, especially when you are rotating your tires, and replacing them when the need arises.
- Replace the air filter
The core functionality of an air filter is to get rid of debris that is pumped into the engine from the air. As days go by, more debris goes into the air filter and if proper care is no taken, the air filter gets clogged.
Air filters should be replaced once the car goes for a distance of between 15,000 and 20,000 miles; sooner if you drive in dusty areas.
Other maintenance tips you could do is to replace old spark plugs, check the condition of the hoses and belts, as well as check the battery’s charge regularly.