Whether you own a new or used car, there are many things you should do to ensure it stays running and working well for years to come. It can seem like a daunting task when someone first starts thinking about all the different jobs they need to perform on their car; however, the key things you need to do are quite simple.
Here is a breakdown of steps that anyone can understand!
Lubricate Your Engine
One thing you may want to do with your car is lubricate it. You can use oil or grease for this purpose, depending on the type of material that makes up your engine.
However, it’s important to remember not to over-lubricant because doing so could cause damage and potential issues in the future, such as contributing to corrosion and rust.
Get Extra Car Tires
You may find yourself in a situation where you need to change your tire and do not have the tools or spare. At these times, it is always good to be prepared with extra car tires. If nothing else, they will at least get you back home if this happens again. You can click here https://www.ozzytyres.com.au to get high-quality ones.
Change Your Coolant Once a Year
It would be best if you did this as part of regular maintenance. This is also easy to forget about because the coolant tends to be clear, but it can help extend your car life and prevent problems like overheating or corrosion on parts that require a liquid cooling system (like the engine block).
The first step in changing your coolant yourself is getting some fluid. Then, you can pick it up at your local auto parts store.
Buy A Diagnostic Tool
Having a diagnostic tool such as the iCarsoft CR PRO will enable you to run your own test to identify a problem if something goes wrong. This can reduce the time and cost involved with taking your car to a garage as you will know what the issue is and whether you can fix it yourself or it requires a specialist. Diagnostic tools are particularly handy when you run into car trouble whilst traveling away from home or out of working hours.
Repair Minor Car Blemishes
Over time, daily wear and tear, minor scratches, and chips may occur on your car’s surface. A great way to maintain its looks and stop rusting from these small damages is to use touch up paint. If you’re a Volvo owner, you’ll need a specific type of paint to match your car’s color perfectly. You can search online for Volvo touch up paint to find the right match. This is a cost-efficient solution to preserve your car’s aesthetics and protect it from further damage due to external conditions. Remember, applying touch up paint regularly to patches is way cheaper than a full-car respray.
Wax Your Car
You may want to polish your car at least once a year. This will help remove the oxidation and give it that shiny look again.
You can use Turtle Wax or something similar for this task. There are also many products on the market designed specifically for cars, so be sure to research if you need any additional items such as waxes etc.
Get Winter Tires
Winter tires provide a lot more grip on the road. Even if you don’t live in an area with heavy snow, winter tires can still be beneficial as they kick up less slush and water from the roads. This means that your vehicle will have better traction when it gets wet outside or during rain.
Winter tires are also made from a softer rubber which helps them to grip the road better. This can be beneficial for vehicles with summer or all-season tires as they tend to wear out faster when compared with winter ones.
Mind Where You Park
If you have ever had to move your car because someone parked too close, then there’s a good chance that you’ve also experienced the feeling of gritting teeth. Not only is it frustrating, but it can be costly for people who are using public transportation or paying hourly fees at an airport garage while waiting for flights. If this has happened to you, then take a little time and be more aware the next time.
Fit it with a GPS tracker
If you have just splurged on a new car the last thing you want is for it to get stolen. But, should that happen a GPS tracker will help you locate it instantly so you can inform the police of its location and get it returned. Getting your car fitted with a GPS tracker does not need to be expensive you can buy one of the PAJ GPS trackers for less than £100 and it will sync to your phone to show you your cars location in real time.
There are many things you can do to take care of your car. The above tips should help guide you however keep an eye out for these 4 big signs that it’s time to buy a new car.