Car Maintenance Tips Maximize The Life And Performance Of Your Vehicle
Caring for your car and keeping it in proper running order takes a little bit of effort, but you don’t have to be a mechanical whiz to keep your vehicle running well. The biggest hurdle is being aware of what needs to be done—and how often—for optimal vehicle upkeep. By knowing the basics about what your car needs, and when you should perform routine car maintenance, you’ll ensure that your car is in top-running condition.
To make it easy to keep track of your car maintenance schedule, we’ve created a simple, car maintenance checklist to help you keep on top of your automotive maintenance.
SHORT TERM CHECK-UPS
For proper vehicle maintenance regularly inspect the following:
OIL AND COOLANT LEVEL
Every month or every 3rd gas refill and especially before a planned long trip, it’s a good idea to get under the hood of your vehicle and inspect both the oil and coolant level. These fluids should only be checked while the engine is cool.
Low levels of either can lead to engine problems if left unchecked. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to locate both on your vehicle.
AIR FILTER
The air filter is what regulates the airflow into your engine and helps keep out debris. Making sure that your air filter is flowing properly, you can improve your fuel efficiency, decrease your emissions, and help ensure the life of your engine.
This can be done easily at home, you can check your owner’s manual to locate where the air filter is situated. We recommend getting the air filter checked by a service or repair centre.
TIRE PRESSURE AND TREAD DEPTH
Well-maintained tires are integral to a safe, fuel-efficient ride, make it a habit to visually inspect your tires often. We recommend checking the tire pressures every month, and before long trips or carrying extra load. Don’t forget to check the spare tire as well, not checking it can leave you stranded when you need it.
In the cold months note that tire pressures lose pressure. You can check your owner’s manual to see what your vehicle’s tire specs are. Checking the tire tread you can use the simple “penny test”
Take an R5 Coin and insert it into the tread of the tire, if only the silver part of the coin is in the tread your tires are still OK, if the golden part of the coin is in the tread you will most likely need to replace the tires soon.
We recommend using a tread depth gauge to check the tread of your tires to ensure accurate results.
HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, AND PARKING LIGHTS
The lights on your vehicle must be properly functioning, but oftentimes it can be an easy item to overlook.
Once a month turn on your vehicle’s headlights when parked in front of a flat surface and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned. Walk around your vehicle and visually inspect both turn signals and your park lights. Have a friend stand behind the vehicle while you engage the brakes to be certain that your brake lights are functioning.
Most modern vehicles will indicate when a bulb is out but checking these items will ensure that should there be electrical errors and the indication does not appear you will pick it up by checking it yourself.
OIL AND OIL FILTER
The oil in the engine of your vehicle serves a whole slew of functions: it lubricates the moving parts, helps act as a sealant against debris, cools the engine, reduces wear and tear, and helps prevent engine corrosion.
Keeping it clean is vital for good engine health. Volkswagen and Audi’s dealer service specs are every 15 000km or 1 year whichever comes first.
ROTATE TIRES
Depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and many other factors, the tread wear patterns on your tire may vary between the front and the rear tires, or even from one side of the tread to the other. Rotating your tires will help to extend the service life of your tires by more evenly balancing the tread wear, and helping prevent noise and vibration problems.
WAX VEHICLE
Taking the vehicle for a wax every six months not only leaves you with a nice and shiny vehicle it also helps to keep both the paint in good shape and reduce the risk of rust.
LONG TERM CHECK-UPS
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Transmission fluid is a lubricant that helps keep all of the moving parts inside of your transmission functioning properly. Whenever you are driving an Automatic or a Manual transmission vehicle, you must have your transmission fluid is checked and changed when needed to avoid costly transmission damage or replacement.
TRANSFER CASE FLUID
In four-wheel or all-wheel-drive vehicles, the transfer case is what shifts power from the transmission to the axels. You will need to have the transfer case fluid according to the vehicle’s manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure properly filled and leak-free. Get it inspected by your nearest repair centre.
INSPECT SHOCKS AND STRUTS
The shocks and struts on your vehicle function to control the impact and rebound as your vehicle passes over bumps in the road and are an essential part of your auto’s steering system.
COOLANT FLUID EXCHANGE
The radiator in your car is a vital component that keeps your engine cool and functioning properly. Having your coolant flushed regularly will help get rid of contaminants that can build up inside as well as ensure that your radiator is filled to a proper level.
SPARK PLUGS
The spark plug in your engine ignites the gas and air mixture that ultimately powers your vehicle. If your spark plugs aren’t functioning properly, your engine will lose power and won’t run at optimal capacity. Visit your nearest repair centre to have it checked.
SEASONAL CHECK-UPS
REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Windshield wipers need to be replaced at least once a year.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE CHECK
Your car battery is one of the most important components of your vehicle to run. A car battery supplies large amounts of electrical current to the starter, engine, and other electronic accessories in the vehicle. Extreme temperature affects the performance of the battery so regular battery testing will ensure that the battery will perform when you need it.
We at Vag Spec Klerksdorp can do all the checks, services, and repairs at our premises.
We offer a 12 month or 20 000km guarantee on all our work that we carry out. Make sure to trust no one but the specialist with the maintenance of your vehicle.
