Servicing your own car is a great way to save money and get to know how your vehicle works a little better. While changing oils, filters and other standard upkeep procedures will keep your car chugging along into the future, there are quite a few maintenance practices that are easy to forget. In forgetting them, though, there is a good chance your car can suffer damage in the long-term. While not expensive in themselves, these practices are necessary to avoid very expensive trips to your local mechanic. Keeping an eye on these things can also keep your car running as efficiently as possible, which in turn help the comfort of your daily drives and fuel economy. Read on to find out what maintenance you may have been missing out on!
Getting to grips with the basics
Transmission fluid is easily one of the top fluids car owners forget to change while performing their own service. This might be one of the signs you may need another transmission this is usually because it’s so easy to forget – unlike radiator coolant or motor oil, transmission fluid won’t likely register in your to-do list until your vehicle’s transmission starts misbehaving, whether through hard shifting, slipping, or total failure. Then, it may very well be an expensive visit to your car mechanic in Wollongong, or wherever it is you may have to venture to. For vehicle owners frequently towing or hauling large weights regularly, gear lube is another Those performing their own services may remember to top up radiator fluid, but flushing your entire coolant system is something that is more often forgotten about. Sludge and slime that has formed over the years can cause some serious damage, with the potential to plug up the radiator, heater core or fluid passages. The anti-corrosion additives necessary for optimum coolant function can also be depleted over time, so make sure to check on these to avoid unexpected critical component failure.
Invest a bit of time to save a lot of money
If you’re wondering why your brakes are starting to feel a little bit spongy, changing your brake fluid might be the answer. This sponginess is a direct result of moisture build-up in the brake fluid, which lowers the boiling point of the fluid. While brake pads are changed regularly, changing your brake fluid at the same time is also a great idea. It’s not just fluids you need to be thinking about, though – with sparkplugs being the all-important means to ignite the combination of fuel and air that cars require to move, ensuring they’re in excellent condition is important. Engine-conditions invariably cause spark plugs to degrade, and it is possible for such dirty or old plugs to not ignite as efficiently as they should. This results in poor fuel economy and a detectable loss of power. This in the long run can cost a car owner a decent amount of money – much more than the cost of new plugs.
Listen to your car
Keeping track of car maintenance is crucial for the longevity of your car. Although there is a great deal to keep track of, learning these commonly forgotten maintenance practices will help save you time and (a lot of!) money in the long run. Remember, it’s important to listen to your car – strange noises and irregular performance may mean that you have missed some kind of maintenance, whether one of the above listed or something similarly forgotten such as power steering. Use high quality components and service regularly, and you can be assured your vehicle will last for many years to come.
