The car is akin to a living being in certain ways. If you want it to live and work, you must feed it and keep it safe. A living organism, however, is much more than that. But so is a vehicle!
An automobile, be it an SUV, a sports car, a mid-range car, a Hummer, or any other type of car, requires regular and thorough maintenance and quality checks. Servicing your car on insurance can be a tedious and uneconomical task. This article is a DIY solution gathered from several automotive industry experts.
DIY Car Maintenance: Common Problems
1. Problem – Rusting.
Solution – Wash your car regularly. Use sandpaper to remove rust. Touch up on paint rust. Regular paint jobs will help protect your car. Keep your four-wheeler away from moisture and salts (roads and seashores). If avoidable, do not live on the coast!
2. Problem – Your vehicle’s timing belts used to transmit motion and power is broken.
Solution – Do not wait till the belt is worn out. Replace it every once in a couple of years. Oil the best regularly.
3. Problem – Overheating.
Solution – Most car owners ignore the tiny “watery” leaks they see every once in a while under their car. That is actually coolant. Coolant loss can cause overheating. Fix the coolant or radiator tank and also replace the working fluid once in a while (take suggestions from the local mechanic).
If this doesn’t work, your thermostat isn’t functioning. Remove it and try again.
4. Problem – Mould.
Solution –Prevent your car from contacting moisture and algae. Always park it in a garage. Use a desiccant such as blue silica gel.
5. Problem – Crashing now and then.
Solution –Road rash isn’t recommended. Avoid giving your cars to others!
General Tips
1. The worst thing you can do to your car is not using it for what it was meant – driving. Take your car out for a spin regularly.
2. Service your car regularly at an authorized dealer. An unserviced car can prove dangerous to you and others on the road.
3. Have spare tire tubes and repair tools always on board.
4. Change fluids regularly. And no, not just engine oil. Also, change transmission fluids (lubricants for gears and bearings; oil for power steering and brakes). Some cars such as Honda are quite susceptible to heat gradients. They can benefit from new fluids. As a suggestion, change fluids every 5,000km.
5. Spray your car regularly to prevent corrosion.
6. Constantly look out for worn parts, seepage around tired gaskets, and leaking hoses.
7. Apart from servicing, personally clean up its interiors and exteriors religiously.
8. Do not avoid the check engine light. If it glows, first check if your fuel cap isn’t open. If it is closed, rush to the mechanic.
9. Your air filter might require replacement once in a while.
10. The brake pads can thin out after years of usage. If your car has brake pad sensors, well and good.
11. If your clutch is having trouble shifting gears, the material must have gained too much friction. It may be time to replace it!
12.NEVER inflate your tires to or beyond Maximum Inflation Pressure indicated. Make sure the serviceman follows this.
Your car is an expensive investment that will serve you for a very long time if you maintain it to perfection with passion. But beware, all DIY operations, especially changing fluids, must comply with manufacturer standards. Else you will end up damaging the engine. If you do not want to risk doing it yourself, it is always recommended to get it serviced at an authorized dealer.