Day after day, you rely on your car to get you and your loved ones from place to place safe and sound (see armored car protection). If you fail to maintain the condition of your vehicle properly, your negligence can result in problems that can be expensive to repair, not to mention the risk they can pose to you and your passengers. You don’t want your car to break down when you least expect it! That’s why regular checkups are crucial if you want to drive safely and make sure your vehicle works properly. Here’s what you need to know about car checkups and the elements you need to pay attention:
Things to Regularly Check on Your Car
Fuel injectors
Nowadays, the majority of vehicles are fuel-injected. This means that small, electronically controlled valves (fuel injectors) get the gasoline to your engine. However, fuel injectors can become clogged over time, which can seriously weaken the performance of your vehicle, including rough running and decreased gas mileage. Fortunately, you can maintain them by using a fuel injector cleaner. It’s a chemical mixture you need to add to the gas tank, able to eradicate all the gunk and deposits.
Most vehicle owners claim that regular use of fuel injection cleaners greatly improves their engine performance. Now, you need to start using a cleaner before potential problems occur. Otherwise, your engine could be seriously damaged due to all the carbon build-up and clogged injectors. The best fuel injector cleaner should be reasonably priced and have great cleaning potency. Think of it as a preventative measure and add it to your car maintenance routine as soon as possible!
The oil
To put it simply, your car won’t run properly without the right level of oil. The oil makes everything in your vehicle run smoothly. As all vehicles consume both fuel and oil, you need to check the oil level regularly – ideally, at least once a month. You can do it by pulling out the dipstick and examining where the oil level is. Additionally, pay attention to the color of the oil. It could be either gold or black. In the latter case, you should take your car for an oil change. Remember that your car’s oil consumption is determined by its engine design and your driving habits, so if you tend to drive fast, you should check the oil level more often.
Tire pressure and wheel alignment
Every month, you should check the tire pressure and monitor the wheel alignment. Your car has probably recommended tire pressure on the sticker printed on the door – for most cars, that’s 32 – 40 psi. If tires are not inflated properly, they can blow out while you’re driving, causing an accident, or stranding you on the side of the road. Keep in mind that the right tire pressure can change depending on the temperature. Additionally, pay attention to the way your car is moving. If you notice it veers slightly to the left or to the right, you should adjust your wheel alignment. Proper adjustments ensure that your car will steer and react just like you want it.
The lights
Proper signalization is key when it comes to driving and vehicle safety. If any of the lights on your car is not functioning properly, it can lead to misinformation and potentially dangerous situations on the road. Ideally, you should check your lights – all of them – every time before you drive off. While you can quickly notice when one of the headlights is out, the other ones are equally important. That’s why you should regularly check your brake lights, turn signals, and reverse lights. Try to make a habit of checking your lights, and you’ll minimize the risk of getting into an accident or having to pay a fine for a malfunctioning light.
The Bottom Line
Try to establish a clear checkup schedule. Not only will you prevent your vehicle from falling into the state of disrepair, but also you can keep its resale value at its highest. Most importantly, you’ll be sure that you and your loved ones reach your destination safely.
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