10 golden rules to properly maintain your car
A well-maintained vehicle reduces the risk of breakdown or even an accident. Here are our tips to achieve this.
1) Engine:
It is advisable to regularly check the oil level, at least once a week. To do this, the car must be flat, and the engine stopped for at least fifteen minutes.
On the dipstick, the optimum oil level is close to the maximum, but not higher. Most of the time, a slight consumption of oil is not annoying, but a significant decline announces an anomaly to be corrected urgently. To make your engine last, one tip: drain every 7,500, 10,000 or 15,000 kilometers, depending on the brand. As for the oil filter, which retains impurities, it must be changed at each change (diesel) or both.
2) Cooling, hoses, fan:
In order to keep your engine from overheating, the coolant must remain in the quantity, between the minimum level and the maximum level. Of course, you have to wait until the engine is cold. A cracked hose must be replaced immediately, otherwise there will be a major leak ... The fan belt must remain tight and intact. Cracks are banned.
3) Exhaust and carburetion:
The exhaust must be in good condition, the same for the fixing rubbers. Although it can be replaced from time to time (depending on the manufacturer), the air filter can be cleaned regularly. If you are driving a diesel-powered vehicle, it is strongly recommended to add an anti-icing product to the fuel when the temperature drops below -5 degrees. However, more and more service stations are distributing "cold" diesel, suitable for temperatures below -15 degrees.
4) ignition:
The Plugs must be checked regularly, and replaced every 20,000 km. Unless you are a very good handyman, turn to a specialist. On the battery side, check the electrolyte level regularly. If it goes down, you have to make the "full" again, and the battery terminals have to be cleaned to avoid starting problems.
5) Lighting and visibility:
Light bulbs must be checked, and any "tired" light bulbs must be replaced. A cracked optic leading to water infiltration (and therefore to corrosion), it is advisable to monitor their tightness. Always have a spare box. To see is to foresee.
6) Windscreen wipers:
A wiper in good condition leaves no trace, and the washer fluid should not be missed. Be careful to use an anti-freeze fluid in winter ... At the risk of making your windshield an ice rink.
7) Suspension:
A good suspension is forgotten, but its condition is to be monitored every 20,000 kilometers, if possible on a special bench.
8) Brakes, tires:
If its level needs to be monitored, the brake fluid needs to be replaced because it will deteriorate over time. An operation to entrust to a specialist. The tires must not be torn or cut, and their tread must be worn with regularity, within the limit of 1.6mm wear. Irregular wear underlies an imbalance of the running gear.
9) Pressure:
Check every two weeks for the regular driver, the check is done when the tires are ... cold. Before a long journey, especially when the car is loaded, it is advisable to slightly inflate the tires (about 200g).
10) Bodywork:
To prevent premature rusting, regular and thorough washing is necessary. If the high-pressure jet is effective, a good bucket of water and a sponge can largely suffice ... Beware of salt in winter, which accelerates the wear of paint and metal. Any impact of gravel, or any blister, can lead to rust, so turn to a bodybuilder as soon as possible.
