In the present time, the car is no more a luxury item that provides the owner with high status. With the inception of cost-effective motor automobiles, owning and functioning a vehicle is more or less easy. And that is a must to keep the automobile in top condition.
To maximize its performance and longevity, you’ve to take care of it like your family member. Many people think that maintaining an automobile means simply refilling the fuel tank and occasional oil change. However, maintenance is beyond it. If not done properly, it will cause hiccups.
Taking care of it doesn’t mean you have to be a mechanical whiz. There is basic maintenance that can aid you.
Here is the list of risks that a not-so-well-maintained car poses and what you can do to prevent it.
Risks Involved When The Car Is Not Maintained Routinely:
- Safety Issue
Failure in the mechanical parts is the biggest risk, which arrives with the non-maintenance of your car. And like we’ve mentioned before, maintenance merely doesn’t mean oil change. Additionally, this poses risk to your and the passengers’ safety.
The safety components that need regular check and issues fixing are braking, steering and suspension. If you notice any problems with any of these, you need a mechanic. If you live in Melbourne, the list of the 10 best mechanics in Melbourne will aid you.
Any unidentified issues for a long time can lead to mechanical failure on the road. And this could pose a risk to your life.
- Car Damage
Non-maintenance of the car can put safety risks on the road. It won’t only lead you to compromise with your safety but also your vehicle.
For instance, the tyre of your car has blown out. It can eventually damage your vehicle. And even if it’s fixable, it can lead to spending big bucks, marking a bad history of your car for the future.
- Poor Performance
If you fail to schedule routine maintenance of your car, it would probably perform poorly. This will result in frequent and costly repair costs.
The more the car repairs, the shorter would be the lifespan. This is when owners are forced to replace cars sooner than forecasted. Besides this frustration, vehicle owners also discover that this is a significant reason for the reduced resale value of their cars.
- Poor Fuel Economy
Every car owner wants to achieve as much mileage as possible. Driving habits and weather conditions are the major reasons contributing to poor fuel economy.
If the car isn’t maintained regularly, it will operate under pressure, which stems the system to use more energy than required. Clogged air filters, unturned engines, and under-inflated tyres can pressurize the system to work harder, thereby consuming more energy. If you service them regularly, the vehicle will run efficiently, giving good fuel economy.
- Reduced Longevity Of Vehicle
A non-maintained car will operate in a bundle of nerves. With the passing time, the pressure will go on increasing. It will begin to cause wear and tear on different components and parts. That will shorten the life of your vehicle.
- Shoots Up The Running Cost
If your car is under-maintained, it can result in underlying issues, resulting in sudden breakdowns. The expenses you’ll bear to fix this issue will be relatively higher than the maintenance cost.
Furthermore, those cars that have poor fuel economy would need more spending on re-filling. Hence, it’s wise to spend on maintenance rather than identifying sudden failures and spending a fortune on it.
How To Prevent The Risks?
- Read The Owner’s Manual
Many new automobile buyers are unaware of the value of the owner’s manuals that come with their vehicles. They are significantly more enthusiastic about getting behind the wheel and driving their automobile.
What they don’t understand is that every automobile’s owner’s handbook offers important information on how the car should be treated and how to maximize its efficiency. It provides precise information on the items that need to be examined or replaced.
The type of light bulbs, headlights, and signal lights required, as well as the type of oil your engine requires, can all be discovered in your owner’s handbook. If you don’t have an owner’s manual, then contact the car manufacturer.
- Keep An Eye On Tyres Pressure And Alignment
Tyre pressure can influence many components of your vehicle directly. It governs an overall safer framework for your car, from comfort and handling to fuel economy. Tyre pressure should be monitored once a week with the help of certain devices or instruments.
Tyres never wear uniformly on all sides. It’s because the front and rear tyres on various cars carry different loads. Rotating your tyres can help balance out the wear and tear while preserving the overall alignment of your vehicle. Tire rotation is suggested every 5000 to 8000 miles.
The treadwear patterns on your tyres may differ between the front and back tyres, or even from one side of the tread to the other, depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and a variety of other factors. Spinning your tyres will assist in increasing their service life by more evenly balancing the tread wear and preventing noise and vibration issues.
- Check The Fluid Level
Because most cars are mechanical, they require liquid fluids to work correctly. You must keep an eye on your car’s fluid levels to maintain it in good condition.
You shall verify that your engine oil, radiator coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid, and air conditioner coolant are all fresh and insufficient amount. This will assist in improving your vehicle’s general condition.
You should have an eye on the major things like transmission fluid, transfer case fluid and coolant fluid exchange. Following is the explanation of them in detail:
Transmission Fluid:Gearbox fluid, like engine oil, is a lubricant that helps maintain all of the mechanical parts inside your transmission in good working order. Whether you have an automatic or manual gearbox, it is critical to have your transmission fluid tested and replaced as needed to avoid pricey transmission repair or replacement. Follow the advice of the vehicle’s manufacturer.
Transfer Case Fluid:The transfer case is what transfers power from the transmission to the axles in four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles. To ensure that the transfer case fluid is correctly filled and leak-free, get it examined according to the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines. This will need going beneath the car, therefore taking it to a professional is advised.
Coolant Fluid Exchange:Your car’s radiator is an important component that keeps your engine cool and running correctly. Having your coolant system cleaned regularly will assist get rid of pollutants that might accumulate within as well as ensuring that your radiator is properly loaded. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to see how often your coolant should be replaced.
- Keep Clean Engine Always
Any automobile’s heart is the engine, and you should take proper care of it. There are many ways to keep the engine clean – for example, employing clean fuel. However, you shall also attempt cleaning it externally regularly. It will also help you discover the area of concern. For instance, leaks in the combination of dust and debris can damage the engine. Hence, clean the engine with engine cleaners and get rid of the gunk.
- Check The Efficiency Of Car’s Air Filter
The appropriate combination of air and fuel is critical to the performance of your engine. It is critical to ensure that the air being drawn into the engine is clean and free of debris or other foreign substances. As a result, it is essential to inspect the air filters regularly.
If the engine is not checked and maintained regularly, various contaminants may enter the engine and cause mediocre mileage, reduced horsepower, and the engine to make an unusual sound. In the worst-case situation, your engine may shut down or malfunction.
Check Spark Plugs
It is critical to keep an eye on the spark plugs to ensure that your engine does not misfire from time to time. A defective spark plug may cause difficulty starting your car, limit acceleration, increase fuel consumption, and cause the engine to shut down.
Upgraded iridium spark plugs have a lifespan of up to 100,000 miles, whilst regular copper plugs have a maximum lifespan of 30,000 miles.
- Check The Battery
Even though most new batteries do not need to be changed since they may last a long time, it is still vital to check them regularly for any malfunctions. When inspecting the battery, ensure that there is no corrosion or rust.
If you need to detach the battery for cleaning, always unhook the negative terminals first to avoid an electrical short circuit.
- Check The Brake Pads
The braking system protects you by giving you more control over your car. They are, nevertheless, extremely prone to wear and tear. Most automobiles have a braking system that consists of a ceramic pad pushing on a metal disc that wears down over time.
Generally, brake pads should be replaced every 20,000 to 45,000 miles. It all depends on how harshly or frequently you use your brakes. If they are not properly maintained, they will generate a squeaking or metal grinding sound when braking.
- Check For Dents And Rusts
Automobiles, just like all the other metal items, rust. A fresh paint job, no matter how excellent it is, will eventually wear out. As a result, it is critical to keep an eye out for rust in exposed sections of your vehicle.
It’s also vital to examine for potential dents on your automobile, as dents and rust can detract from the overall appearance of your vehicle. Although we do not advocate having your automobile painted on a regular basis, it is crucial to recognise when it is necessary.
Another thing to bear in mind is that washing and polishing your automobile on a regular basis can extend the life of the paint and maintain the appearance of your vehicle.
- Check HVAC System
As a vital component of your car, the air conditioning system delivers comfort and pleasure. However, as with all other systems, if not properly maintained, this, too, might fail. It is critical to ensure that the HVAC system is operating effectively. And at the proper temperature.
- Observe The Warning Light Indicators
Because most contemporary automobiles now have cutting-edge sensors and warning systems that inform you if something goes wrong, it’s critical to have a complete grasp of these warning light signs. Some of the most important warning light signs are:
Engine Light: It denotes an issue with your vehicle’s engine, which is monitored via an OBD-II interface. If this indication illuminates, an OBD-II scanner may be required.
Service Engine Light: It shows whether or not scheduled maintenance is required shortly. It is also known as “service,” “maintreqd,” or “service engine.”
Oil Warning Light: It shows that your engine’s oil pressure is too low. This signal can also be activated by an oil pump leak or failure, as well as an oil filter and strainer blockage.
Abs Warning Light: It implies that your anti-lock braking system may be malfunctioning. In unexpected braking circumstances, ABS keeps your vehicle steady and under control.
Coolant Warning Light: It means that your engine has overheated. Because the cooling system is highly pressured, do not remove the radiator cover until the engine has completely cooled.
Electrical Fault Light: It denotes a problem with your vehicle’s electrical charging system and alternator.
Brake Warning Light: It might mean a variety of things, such as that the parking brakes are engaged or that the brake fluid levels need to be replenished. It is preferable to consult your handbook to determine exactly what it implies.
Final Thoughts:
When it comes to automobile maintenance, a few simple procedures may go a long way toward ensuring peak performance and lifespan. It makes little difference if you are new to auto maintenance as long as you are safe and follow suitable procedures.
So, what’s getting in your way? Follow the suggestions above and maintain your vehicle to improve its overall performance and efficiency. Furthermore, if you want to learn about suspension bags, then read on the blog: What is an airbag suspension and how does it work.
Author Bio:
Hi, I am Olivia Robinson, a writer, and blogger by profession. As I’m a wanderer, I share my experiences through my write-ups in a way that it’s understandable and appealing to the people. I aim to achieve a difference through my writing, which allows my readers to make informed and valuable choices.
