How to maintain your car

Maintaining Your Car Can Save You Money

There is no way to break it you to gently – cars are expensive. Cars are one of the most expensive purchases you are ever going to make. It makes sense to get to know your car and look after it. If you add some basic jobs into your routine maintaining your car will prolong its life and potentially get you a good price when you are ready to upgrade.

The freedom of having your own transport is fantastic. When you realise how much that car is costing you – you might look at public transport in a different way. There is a reason people squash themselves into a bus or a train on their daily commute. They may look miserable and pathetic to you but the money they are saving on each commute is going towards their next holiday.

Maintaining Your Car

Read the Manual

Get to know where things are – every car is different. From working out how to re-set the clock to where the point is to put the jack when you have a flat tyre. Spend 30 minutes looking through the manual getting familiar with your car when you first bring it home.

Check under the bonnet

There are a few little things you can do to maintain your car. Leave the big jobs to your mechanic. Before you start touching anything make sure your car is cool, when the car has been running for a while every thing gets hot!

Engine Oil

  • Check your oil after your engine has been turned off for at least 10 minutes so the oil can settle at the bottom and cool off.
  • Pull out the dipstick out and wipe it clean with a paper towel or old cloth. This is to create a blank canvas for the next step.
  • Pop the dipstick back in and pull it back out.
  • The dipstick is marked with max and min indicators that show how much oil is in your engine. The oil on the dipstick should be near maximum. Top it up if it’s too low. Next time if you check the oil, if it is low again this could indicate you are burning too much oil and your engine is in trouble. See your mechanic.

“I let my oil get so low the engine seized, it happened on the freeway in peak hour. Aside from the inconvenience, it cost me $3000 for a reconditioned engine. After only 9 months my $5 000 bargain cost me another $3 000 (which I had to borrow) and its resale value was about $2 000. “

Anna, 25

Windscreens

Windscreen Wipers

You need water for your windscreen. There is nothing more frustration (and dangerous) than having the sun hit a dusty windscreen and have only a trickle of water comes out that turns the dust into a muddy film across the windscreen when you turn your wipers on.

For safety wiper blades should be changed at least once a year, sooner if you are having trouble seeing through your windscreen properly. The rubber disintegrates over time especially if you park your car outside. Don’t use Windex to clean your windscreen, as it can leave a residue and cause a rainbow effect when hit by the sun. A mild detergent and water will do the trick. Get into the habit of washing your windscreen every time you fill up the tank. And don’t forget to wipe down the inside of the windscreen.

If you get a small chip in your windscreen get onto it straight away. You may be able to apply a small patch to stop it from spreading. Patches are available at most motor mechanics.

Tyre pressure

Tyres

Tyres are expensive to replace so it makes sense to took after them. You will never love your tyres more than when you have to brake to avoid hitting a child.

It’s important to make sure your tyres have enough air in them. It’s really easy, quick and it’s free. Most major service stations have air pressure gauges available.

  • Before testing the air pressure make sure your tyres are not hot – i.e. you haven’t been driving for over 10 mins.
  • Inside the driver’s side door is a label that has the optimal front and rear tyre pressure. It will have the number of Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) that is recommended. (Stay with us here)
  • Locate the value on the tyre, it will likely have a black cap you can screw off. Put the cap in your pocket so you don’t lose it.
  • Pop the air pressure gauge on the value – check the reading to make sure it is within the range of the PSI from the label on the car door.
  • If the pressure is low – add more air. If it is high release the air pressure (don’t over-inflate the tyre). Replace the cap and move onto the next tyre… and don’t forget the spare – a roadworthy spare tyre is a must!

Tip # When you get your car serviced ask the mechanic to rotate your tyres and check the alignment. You can check the alignment yourself if you drive in a straight line and take you hands off the wheel (for a few seconds), if the steering wheel pulls to the left or the right you need the alignment checked.

Whilst we are talking tyres make sure they have tread on them – this is what keeps you from skidding. Also, driving with bald tyres is illegal and can turn into a hefty fine if you get pulled over by the Police.

How often do you need to do this mini check?

Depending on how often you drive your car once every month is a good time to look under the bonnet, check your tyres and make sure your lights/indicators are working. If you are planning a long trip, don’t leave it until the morning before you are about to hit the road to do a check. Make it a regular job you do on the last Sunday of every month – it should only take 15 minutes.

It’s important to have your car serviced by a professional regularly. Have a chat to the mechanic and find out when any big jobs need to be done so you can include the additional costs in your budget.

Related Article – How Much Money Do You Need?

Resources – Find Out What Your Car is Worth