10 Basic Things Every Car Owner Should Know
Buying a car nowadays is very easy. So is learning how to drive. It is an exciting experience especially for the new drivers to finally hit the road with their newly bought car. But do you know how to protect your Subaru Forester that you recently bought from damage?
For you to know how to protect your car you have to understand how it works. Whether you have hired a chauffeur to drive you around or you are driving yourself, you need not be ignorant of how to keep your car in shape.
Let us help you become smart and informed. We are going to tell you 10 basic things you need to keep in mind as a car own
1. Spare Tire
This is not a decoration to your car. It is there purposely for use in case of a flat tire. You should know where the tire is placed. It will save you a lot of time in the event that you have a flat tire or a puncture. Imagine yourself stranded in the middle of the road with a flat tire and you have no idea that there's a spare one at the trunk of your car. You'd probably feel embarrassed if you asked a car recovery service for help for a new tire and someone came and pulled it right in front of you from your car trunk.
Also, before using your car check if the spare tire is inflated. You don't want to use a flat tire to fix another flat tire. Familiarize yourself also with where other tools that will help you change the flat tire are kept, for instance, the jack.
Spares are not necessarily stored in a trunk. It all depends on the model of the vehicle.
2. Engine Oil
You should know the main purpose of the engine oil. It is not to make your car burn fuel while driving. Its main work is to lubricate, clean and cool your car engine.
What happens to your car if the engine has no enough oil?
These three things are bound to happen;
· Thermal degradation which will result in varnish and carbonaceous deposits.
· Overheating leading to smoke and tar
· Corrosion causing slush and lacquer
When these elements go to the engine they will generate friction in parts where the oil flows to. The oil will then start creating friction and heat to the bearings, cylinder walls, the engine itself etc. making the engine even dirtier.
3. Car Fluids
If you want your car to run smoothly, make sure you check on the car fluids on a regular basis. There are five important ones which include:
· Coolant
· Power steering fluid
· Engine oil
· Brake fluid
· Windshield washer fluid
4. The Pressure of the Tire
It is essential that you maintain the required tire pressure for your car. Too much or too low pressure can be dangerous.
Low pressure makes the surface of the tire to come in contact with more ground. This causes friction between the road and the tire. The friction will make your tires wear out very fast. The tires can also overheat leading to separation of the treads and this can lead to an accident.
High pressure, on the other hand, will make less tire surface to touch the ground. This can lead to miscalculation when applying your breaks.
5. Windshield Wiper Blades
Do not overlook the need for windshield wipers this part of your vehicle. They are important especially if you are driving in the rain. You have to maintain the shape of the blades for your wipers to perform well. It is advised that you change them every six months.
6. Shocks and Struts
When these are worn out, you will hear a rattling when you drive over a bump. Also, if your car is shaking back and forth frequently then you probably need to replace your shocks and struts.
7. Air filters
Engines can block due to dirt making them impossible to operate. When engines are working with difficulty, then a lot of fuel is used which is another added cost. So, it's important that you change these air filters every six months.
8. Headlights and Tail lights
Examine these lights frequently as they tend to get dimmer with time. You can change them when you experience this. It is required that you change the headlights after a year.
9. Brakes
They are crucial safety features in your car. If your car's steering wheel is shaky when stepping on the brake pedals, then they are faulty. This can affect the stability of your car's control system.
10. Regular Car Maintenance
Just like any machine needs to be maintained for proper operation so does your car. Take your car to a garage once in a while for a routine checkup. For you to know how often to service your car read that vehicle owner's manual that comes with it.
Conclusion
The safety and performance of your car starts with you. As a car owner you should have these basic tips in your mind so that when your car develops a problem, you have an idea of how to fix it.
Also, the best car maintenance is done by a qualified and experienced mechanic. Make sure your car is serviced by a mechanic who knows what they are doing. Find that skilled and honest mechanic and hang onto them.