12 TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR CAR

It’s no secret that for a car to work perfectly and last over time, your car must be well maintained . If vehicle maintenance often takes a toll on your car budget, it can also be simplified but should not be taken lightly.

1. FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE PLAN PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER

When designing a car, its manufacturer studies how its components will wear out over time and kilometers traveled. Various operations must be carried out at regular intervals, for example we advise you to change the engine oil , change your windshield wipers, change your signal lights, change the shock absorbers, good vehicle maintenance. your car allows you to better identify repairs and auto parts to replace.

Do not neglect these repairs, they are what guarantee your safety. Whether you carry out maintenance on your car yourself , or whether you prefer to entrust this task to car service professionals (garage, technical inspection center, service station, etc.), remember to respect the specific recommendations for your model.

2. CHECK FLUID LEVELS REGULARLY

While we automatically think about ensuring that the engine contains enough oil, we should not neglect other fluids essential to the operation of your car, such as coolant or braking fluid. Remember to bleed the brake fluid and replace the coolant every 30,000 km. Of course, this diagnosis depends on your driving pace.

To find out how to proceed, refer to the user manual provided with the purchase of your automobile, which will tell you the location of these control elements in the engine compartment.

3. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CAR’S DIRECTIONS

Most recent cars are equipped with an on-board computer, and this generally allows the driver to be warned in the event of a malfunction such as worn tires , an ABS failure, or pronounced wear of the brakes requiring replacement of the brakes. brake pads, a change of brake pads at a garage or any other approved professional.

As a reminder, any red light on the dashboard indicates a malfunction of a safety device, and requires the vehicle to be stopped immediately.

4. CHECK TIRE CONDITION AND PRESSURE

Your car’s tires ensure road holding and the reliability of your braking. Check your tire pressure very regularly to give yourself the best possible grip, and adapt it to your needs (loaded vehicle, type of road, etc.). When you check the wear of your tires using the indicators in the grooves, also take the time to check that no foreign bodies are stuck there.

Are your tires too worn? We invite you to consult our wide range of tires which you can recommend to your mechanic for possible replacement.

5. CARRY OUT SMALL, SIMPLE REPAIRS YOURSELF

Little known to the general public, Automobile Technical Reviews are real gold mines for simply maintaining your vehicle.

Available in supermarkets and specialized stores, these magazines contain a lot of information about your car, which will allow you to save time for routine maintenance.

6. BUY THE TECHNICAL MAGAZINE FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Although prices are relatively consistent on the fuel market, many brands specialize in low-cost gasoline and diesel.

Beyond the margins made by fuel distributors, there are real differences in quality between low-cost gasoline and premium gasoline.

Less quality and often filled with additives harmful to the engine and seals, low-cost fuels can increase your average consumption, and lead to accelerated clogging of your filters and your catalyst.

7. CHECK THE CONDITION OF YOUR BATTERY

Unlike old cars, many recent cars regulate their batteries on their own. However, regularly checking the charge of the latter allows you to extend its lifespan and avoid unpleasant surprises in winter.

Modern battery chargers are simple to use, and provide maintenance cycles autonomously.

However, your car’s battery loses power over time; experts recommend changing it every 4 years. If you notice that your car battery is discharging faster than when it first started, we advise you to consult our wide selection of car batteries on our site

8. KEEP ALL MAINTENANCE INVOICES

Although this is not directly related to the maintenance of your car, it may be wise to keep all related documents and invoices. In addition to being used to justify work during an inspection or resale of your vehicle, keeping an up-to-date file allows you to know at a glance what you have already carried out for maintenance or repair . .

9. KEEP A CAR CLEAN

It is strongly recommended to wash your car thoroughly and regularly. By cleaning the interior and exterior of your car. This will prevent dirt and dust from becoming embedded in the joints and numerous gaps in your bodywork and interior.

What’s more, rigorous cleaning helps preserve the shine of a car’s paint and protects its varnish over the long term.

10. TAKE LONG JOURNEYS REGULARLY

If you mainly use your car for urban travel, remember to check that your vehicle is working properly before long journeys. By prolonged driving, your vehicle’s engine catalyzes. The engine breaks down on its own as well as its exhaust system.

In addition, long journeys allow your car battery to be recharged more efficiently.

11. PARK YOUR CAR UNDER COVER

Summer and winter alike, parking your car outside without protection is rarely recommended. Indeed, temperature variations, as well as direct exposure to the sun and rain will tend to deteriorate the paint of your bodywork, the condition of the windshield seals as well as those of the windows.

What’s more, your car’s battery is very sensitive to outside temperatures. As soon as you can, park your car sheltered from bad weather.

Poorly adjusted, broken or worn headlights can put you in dangerous situations. When you clean your vehicle, remember to check the condition and operation of all the lights and indicators.