Back in the old days, it was almost a miracle to see a car with 100,000 mileage that is still on the road. Nowadays, it’s not unusual for cars to get past 300,000 miles – sometimes even up to 500,000 miles. It’s obvious, isn’t it? It all comes down to the maintenance.
You’ve probably seen a car that is older than Dracula but surprisingly, it doesn’t look like it. In fact, a well-maintained old car can outlive a newer car that’s been neglected without proper care. Quite often, it’s the little things like regularly checking your tire pressure, brakes, fluid level, battery and lights that make the big difference in the long run.
Car Maintenance 101 Tips (Read till the end)
1. Read The Owner’s Manual
When it comes to vehicles, there is no ‘one size fits all’ prescription. For example, the oil change schedule of your car depends on the type of car that you drive. Contrary to the common misconception, you don’t need to change the oil after every 3,000 miles.
Hence, before everything else, make sure you read the owner’s manual to double check what your vehicle needs during maintenance. If you don’t, you will probably end up putting the wrong oil into your vehicle’s engine and cause serious damage.
2. Learn The Meaning Of Different Warning Light Indicators
Most modern cars will notify you via warning lights whenever there are some issues that require immediate attention. However, those warning lights will be useless if you can’t interpret what they mean to choose the appropriate course of action. Here’s how it goes:
- Service engine light – You see that little print on your dashboard written “service engine”, “service” or “maint reqd”? When you see that indicator light, it’s a reminder that the recommended maintenance schedule is due.
- Check engine light – Otherwise known as the malfunction indicator lamp, it will tell you whenever the sensors in your engine detect a problem that ought to be fixed. Usually, it doesn’t specify the exact issue but you can consult a mechanic or use OBD2 scanner to find out the root cause of the problem.
- Brake warning light- If the brake warning light indicator automaticallyturns on, it could mean your brake fluid level is low or the brake pads are worn out. The brake warning light can also activate when you’ve engaged the parking brakes. But just to be sure, you can refer to the owner’s manual.
- Coolant warning light- Don’t wait for a whistle! In case you see the coolant warning light, you should pull over immediately, open the hood and wait for the car to cool down. The coolant light tells you that the engine internal temperature is beyond the limit and if you keep driving you may damage it. Don’t forget: never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot!
- ABS Warning light – Just like thebrake warning light, if the ABS warning light flashes, it’s a sign that there could be a problem with the anti-lock braking system. In other words, it could be harder for you to suddenly stop your vehicle in an emergency situation. Otherwise, if both your ABS and brake warning lights are on, you shouldn’t risk driving your vehicle until the problem is fixed.
- Oil Warning light – Once the oil in your engine is lowerthan recommended, the oil warning light will engage. It could also be a symptom of a bigger problem like oil filter blockage or oil pump malfunction. Mind you, driving your car when the warning light is on can completely wreak havoc to the engine.
- Electrical fault light – Obviously, it means there is an issue with the electrical charging system. You can run a diagnostic to dig deeper into the cause. In most cases, it’s usually the alternator that is misbehaving.
How To Break In A New Car
Vehicles are made out of parts that need to synchronize after getting assembled in order to achieve optimum performance. Believe it or not, the longevity of your vehicle will depend on how you treat it when it is new. That’s why car manufacturers have the ‘break-in period’ where they recommend certain precautions, driving techniques and maintenance assignments to improve the performance and prolong the lifespan of your vehicle.
Of course, it’s important to consult your owner’s manual for the specific break-in period instructions. The typical break-in period for most modern cars is around 500 miles. Before hitting that target, the most common break-in period recommendations include:
3. Administer The First Oil Change After 50 To 100 Miles
Sure, when the vehicle has been on the road for a long time, you can even change the oil after 5,000 miles. However, when a car is brand new straight out of the factory, you should change the oil after 50 or 100 miles. Later, you can change the oil after the recommended break-in period mileage.
4. Keep Revs Under The 3,000 Rpm Mark
Do you know why you should keep the revs under the 3,000 rpm mark? Because the piston rings need to interlock with the cylinder bores tightly. Keep in mind that the piston rings are necessary to prevent oil leakage and if you rev the engine too much, you can disrupt the whole process.
5. Drive At Speeds Of 30 Mph And 50 Mph
Since most people are tempted to test the high speed and acceleration of their new automobile, this sure does seem like something most drivers would forget. However, it may pay off eventually if you don’t exceed the suggested run-in period speed limit. For convenience, you can opt to drive around urban areas where you can keep it between 30 mph and 50 mph.
Tires & Wheels Care And Maintenance
A slight imbalance on the tires and wheels can cause your vehicle to overturn at high speed especially when making turns. You don’t want that to happen! If you want to drive safely, then you must prioritize your tires and wheels through the following steps;
6. Check Tire Pressures
Did you know that most tire-related accidents are caused by under-inflated tires? Not only does it diminish the gas mileage and handling, but an under-inflated tire can trigger a dangerous blowout. Don’t wait for the mechanic to check your tire pressure once in a blue moon but you should do it yourself every month. As per the norm, the owner’s manual will tell you the appropriate pressure for your tires.
Don’t forget, over-inflated tires can be a problem too.
7. Check Tread Depth
Do you see those imprinted patterns on the tires that leave marks on the ground when you drive on dry soil or mud? They’re known as tire treads and they play a big role whenever you want to drive in all weather conditions. Suffice to say, always make sure you check the depth of the tread before you drive that car.
8. Inspect Tires Regularly
Unlike that short trip to the mall, the tires are more strained during a long road trip. A small crack, bulge or stuck object on the tire can cause a lot of trouble when you travel halfway across the state or country. Just pray that stuck glass on your tire doesn’t set off a deflated tire on the highway. Well, you don’t have to leave your safety to chance but you can always inspect your tires regularly.
9. Rotate Tires And Have The Alignment Checked
Make sure you check the owner’s manual to know when you should rotate and align your tires. Most manuals suggest tire rotation and alignment after 5,000 to 8,000 miles. The perks? It keeps your fuel economy in check. Also, the procedure is fairly cheap.
10. Don’t Overload Your Vehicle
One of the worst mistakes you can do is to overload your vehicle. If it doesn’t cause a vehicle imbalance, it will trigger a tire breakdown. To check how much weight your vehicle can support, refer to the owner’s manual or the placard on the door frame.