It’s important that you, as the driver, It’s important that you, as the driver, should know the fundamentals of should know the fundamentals of maintaining your car. maintaining your car.

Top Car Maintenance Tips Top Car Maintenance Tips forfor

Such awareness can be very useful in making your car safe and Such awareness can be very useful in making your car safe and would also save you from spending quite an amount for basic would also save you from spending quite an amount for basic repairs that can easily be done by any regular driver.repairs that can easily be done by any regular driver.

Maintaining Car TiresMaintaining Car TiresTires should be checked Tires should be checked regularly for any wears, cracks , regularly for any wears, cracks , pressure, bulges or any objects pressure, bulges or any objects caught in its tread. Don’t take caught in its tread. Don’t take this task lightly as defective tires this task lightly as defective tires can pose a danger once you’re can pose a danger once you’re on the road. on the road.

Moreover, having damaged tires would cost you a fine and penalty Moreover, having damaged tires would cost you a fine and penalty points per tire.points per tire.

Normally, cars come with tread wear indicators, which are 6 small Normally, cars come with tread wear indicators, which are 6 small ribs across the bottom of the main tread grooves. If the surface of ribs across the bottom of the main tread grooves. If the surface of the tread gets to be in level with the ribs, that means the tire has the tread gets to be in level with the ribs, that means the tire has reached its limit and needs replacement.reached its limit and needs replacement.

* Check tire pressure once a week. This includes the spares. * Having the correct tire pressures would give you excellent braking, handling and gripping as well as fuel efficiency. * If you have low tire pressure, your car’s fuel consumption will increase and the life span of your tire will be shortened; thereby risking tire failure.

Tire PressureTire Pressure

* Make sure to check your tire’s pressure only when they are cold and after a drive of not more than 2 miles. Warm tires caused by a few mile’s drive would give false reading.

The owner’s manual would contain information on the correct tire pressure needed for your specific car. It can also be placed on a placard mounted on the car. The rule of the thumb to follow when it comes to the relation between load and pressure is this: the higher the load ,the higher the pressure.

In the absence of a pressure gauge, the easiest alternative for checking tire pressure is with the use of a digital air dispenser available at gasoline stations. Easy to use, it comes with instructions on how to apply it on your vehicle.

Changing a Flat TireIf you happen to need a tire change on a public road or motorway, phoning for assistance would be a wise move to avoid the danger this task entails.

• Ensure that it’s safe to change the wheel.• Take out the spare wheel, wrench and jack from your car’s boot.• With the handbrake on, set the car into first gear. Know where the jacking point is from your car’s manual.

• Remove the wheel nuts followed by the wheel.• Fit the spare wheel, tighten wheel nuts then lower the jack.• Have your damaged tire fixed or replaced at the nearest garage.

Tire Blow OutTire Blow OutYou’ve probably tried having your tires burst while driving. Such can be a bummer but here are some tips to better handle the said predicament.

•Keep your eyes on the road and both hands on the steering wheel.•The steering wheel should be maintained in a steady position, making only slight movements.•To make people aware that you are in a situation, turn on your hazard lights.•Identify where you can halt your car, away from the flow of main traffic.

• As your car slows down, pull up to your identified safe spot, being careful to avoid rushing and being mindful of the traffic around you.

• Park and get out of the car.

• Coast while driving, slow your car down gently as braking heavily causes a car to swerve uncontrollably and possibly cause a collision.

Oil Engine CheckOil Engine CheckThe lifeline of your car is oil, which lubricates, cleans and cools your The lifeline of your car is oil, which lubricates, cleans and cools your engine. If there’s insufficient oil, bet on it that your car is in great damage engine. If there’s insufficient oil, bet on it that your car is in great damage risk. It’s recommended that engine oil level be checked at least once a risk. It’s recommended that engine oil level be checked at least once a fortnight and top up as needed. Don’t put in too much oil because this will fortnight and top up as needed. Don’t put in too much oil because this will create excess pressure that potentially damages the engine’s seals and create excess pressure that potentially damages the engine’s seals and gaskets; thereby leading to oil leaks.gaskets; thereby leading to oil leaks.

To check engine levels, To check engine levels, keep in mind the keep in mind the following:following:

• Ensure that the engine is cold and the car is level with the ground.• Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a cloth. Reinsert fully,

then pull out again and check that the oil mark is between the “F” and “L” marks.

• If below the “L” mark, add more oil. Find the filler cap, mostly found on top of the engine and marked, “oil.” Unscrew carefully and set aside.

• Pour in a little amount of new oil and recheck the level with the dipstick. Repeat until you have the right oil level.

Remember also to use the correct oil, ideally the same as what’s already in your engine. Check your owner’s manual for instructions.

As a tip, Castrol is a high quality general engine oil that you could most likely use.

Oil ChangesOil Changes

It’s crucial to have the current oil from your car engine drained at regular intervals and replaced with new, unused oil. Do this every 10,000 miles. Oil change is usually done during your car’s annual service but you can do this by yourself if you refer to your owner’s manual for instructions.

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