Probably every driver knows how important it is to maintain a car. Its performance, driving safety and minimal operating costs all depend on it. Vehicle maintenance should always be performed regularly, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or good automotive practice. If you are a novice driver or car owner and don’t yet know how often you should check certain car components.
Car Maintenance – Everything You Need to Know
Modern cars are complex structures consisting of hundreds, if not thousands, of components. Some are more susceptible to damage and wear, others less so. In addition, some of them directly affect driving safety, so they should be the first priority in car maintenance.
How regularly should the brake fluid be changed?
Brakes are one of the most significant systems in a car that are responsible for driving safety. They allow you to stop your car quickly and in a controlled manner. Brake fluid and its condition are essential for the proper functioning of the hydraulic brake system used in cars. Old fluid can cause the brakes not to work to their full potential, causing the vehicle to skid. Experts recommend changing the brake fluid according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If not, they should be changed at least every two years.
How Frequently Should I Change the Engine Oil?
The next product in the consumables group is engine oil. It provides lubrication and cooling of the driving mechanism. In this case, the recommendation on the frequency of replacement is simple. It should be done every 10-15 thousand kilometers of mileage or every 12 months – whichever comes first. Interestingly, in the case of sports cars, mechanics recommend reducing this interval to 5,000-8,000 kilometers. Fresh engine oil provides the best conditions for the drive train and avoids costly malfunctions in the engine.
Replacing the Brake Pads
In this case it’s simple. The pads should be replaced when the thickness of the friction lining is approaching the minimum. On modern cars, this can be signaled by a light indicator on the instrument panel, letting you know that you need to prepare to replace the pads with new ones. As for service life, much depends on engine power, brand of brake pads and discs, but above all on driving style.
Changing the Fuel Filter
In modern cars, the fuel filter is usually built into the fuel pump, in which case it should be replaced at a qualified workshop with the proper tools. Filters should be changed regularly, every 50,000 km in the case of petrol engine vehicles and every 15,000 km in the case of diesel engine vehicles.
Degreasing the Entire Air Conditioning System
The air conditioning in a car is one of the biggest conveniences. However, in order for it to work properly, it needs to be serviced regularly, blown out, and don’t forget to change the cabin filter. These filters can frequently be found in the engine compartment or behind the cabin. It is important to remember that they are useful for a certain period of time. Ideally, they should be replaced once a year or every 15,000 km of mileage.
Why shouldn’t the filter be used for a long period of time? There is a danger of viruses, fungi and mold accumulating on it. Their presence can lead to relatively harmless symptoms such as sneezing or nausea, but also to more serious illnesses such as herpes, conjunctivitis and chickenpox. The presence of unwanted microorganisms on filters is especially bad for allergy sufferers.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain A Car?
Properly performed maintenance helps extend the life of your engine, reducing the risk of engine failure. Whether your car is new or old, it’s significant to follow mechanics’ recommendations. If you want to reduce your operating costs, it’s worth having your car serviced at an independent auto repair shop. Prices are usually much lower than at authorized service stations.
What Should You Keep in Mind When You Take Your Car to An Auto Repair Shop?
As for exercising limited trust, in the case of workshops, we don’t know. It is always a good idea to get the opinion of another professional, especially in the case of serious breakdowns, when the mechanic informs us that a number of parts need to be replaced. It’s worth taking a few minutes to read the many publicly available guides, which in many cases will give you a better idea of the cause of the breakdown and a rough estimate of the repair method and cost.
If the repair shop refuses to provide the customer with a written warranty for the parts used in the repair, you should check the condition of the car with another technician, preferably in another city, without telling them exactly what you are inspecting. This will allow you to check if the predecessor installed the dismantled parts instead of the new ones.
The customer should also always remember their rights to protect their interests. They should also keep in mind the possibility of posting reviews on websites that will allow them to refer other customers to places worth recommending.