It might be that you have just passed your driving test and your thoughts turn to buying a car, and why not indeed? Car ownership, however, does come at a cost and we are not talking about the cost of the vehicle, rather it is car maintenance that cannot be overlooked. A typical motor vehicle consists of around 30,000 separate components and without regular servicing, your car would most certainly develop faults.
Engine maintenance
Of course, the power unit is the most important component of any vehicle and as a general rule, it should be serviced every 5,000 miles or 7,000 km. The owner’s manual contains all the information about services and what components need to be inspected or replaced.
Here is a list of typical engine tasks carried out in a service:
- Engine oil & filter replacement
- Check all drive belts for wear and tension
- Clean/replace air filter
- Check gearbox oil
You should only take your car to a manufacturer-approved garage for servicing, as they know the vehicle well enough to complete the work.
Keeping the car clean
You should visit a car detailing shop every 2-3 weeks to keep the exterior and interior looking like new. If you order car sun shades in Australia from a leading supplier, this will prevent UV from damaging the upholstery. Most drivers have an interior detail as well as a wash and wax, which should be enough to maintain a level of cleanliness.
Tyres
The tyres are the only things that have contact with the road, therefore, they should be checked often for damage and wear and tear. Worn tyres are extremely dangerous, as you lose most of your grip when the tread is worn away. Tyres should be swapped every few thousand miles, the front can go on the back and left swapped with right, which ensures even tyre wear. Here are a few must-have car accessories that every driver should have.
Brakes & steering
Typically, brake pads should last 30-40,000 miles, depending on the quality and your driving behaviour; some people heavily rely on the brakes to slow down, when the correct way is to use a combination of brakes and gear changes and this reduces the brake pad wear. The steering joints must be inspected regularly and if you notice any play in the steering, take the car to a garage and have them inspect the steering mechanism. Obviously, steering is critical so make sure you don’t overlook this when servicing the car. When it comes to safety, using reliable automotive parts is essential, especially for critical systems like braking and steering.
Annual inspection
Once a car reaches the age of 5 years, it must be checked by an approved garage in order to be allowed on the roads. The state government is responsible for this, called the pink slip, every vehicle must undergo an inspection once a year.
We cannot overstate the importance of maintenance for every vehicle owner and we hope that the above information helps you keep your car in good working order.
