Simple Car Maintenance to Prevent Expensive Repairs

Keeping your car well-maintained prevents costly repairs and parts replacements. Not only that, but it can even expand the life of your car as well. Likewise, simply checking your owner's manual can guide you to tackle basic maintenance on your car thereby eliminating your need for a mechanic's assistance.

Moreover, keeping your car always in top condition will help you sell it at a competitive price. Do the following simple car maintenance to keep your car in good running condition - at all times!

1. Fuel Injectors

Fuel injectors are known for their fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and better performance. However, these features disappear when fuel injectors are clogged and dirty. Don't wait for these signs to appear before checking and cleaning your fuel injectors:

• Acceleration Problem
  Clogged or dirty fuel injectors affect your engine performance as it works mainly to supply, in controlled pace, the amount of fuel to your engine. So, when it’s malfunctioning, your engine can either move in surges and accelerate slowly, or your engine misfires by failing to deliver fuel to the engine and turning your acceleration turbulent.
• Idling Problem
  Idling problem is another sign of clogged fuel injectors. When your car is in an idle mood it needs a consistent fuel supply injected to the engine. If you have this issue you’ll notice that your engine runs roughly, a clear indication that there is something wrong with your fuel injectors.
• Poor Fuel Economy
  Erratic fuel injectors can be a source of another problem—your car fuel efficiency. Thus you should check your fuel injectors if there is a leakage somewhere within the engine. Another scenario would be your fuel injectors are pumping too much fuel to your engine and in the process losing fuel.

2. Take Care of Your Radiator

Keep your radiator in good condition to avoid hassle during long hours of drive. Make sure that you flush your coolant every 3,000 miles or every 5 years. Only use the recommended coolant for your car.

Taking good care of your radiator can prevent overheating of the engine which can lead to potential damage on your head gasket.

3. Change Your Oil Regularly

Changing oil regularly will help your car engine maintain good performance. Besides, a regular oil change removes particles and dirt inside the engine which then improves fuel consumption. It is recommended to change the oil as soon as your car reaches between 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

4. Check your Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are crucial to run your car, so don't neglect it. Check your spark plugs by pulling them from the cylinders and inspect each of them thoroughly. If you notice that your electrodes turn black or covered with carbon then you should purchase new spark plugs.

Only have the approved spark plug for your car. Furthermore, if your car reaches about 30,000 miles your spark plugs are presumed worn so replacement is necessary. Other indications that your spark plugs are failing:

• Rattling sound
• Hard starting
• Fuel inefficient
• Low performance
• Engine misfiring

5. Battery Maintenance

The performance of your car relies on an efficient battery connection. When you see white substances in the terminals, don't ignore them but instead remove them. Otherwise, you’ll hardly start your engine or end up jump-starting it.

Clean your posts by removing the cables attached to it by pouring water mixed with baking soda. Brush them until the residues are eliminated. And keep the posts dry and replace battery terminals as well.

6. Keep Your Car Covered

Providing a cover to your car can protect it from any harmful effects that it can sustain while parked outside of your home. Below are the benefits of a car cover or tarps:

• Protection against rust, mold humidity
  Covering your car can protect it against rust, mold, and humidity. But if you park your car outside without a cover, it is exposed to sunlight, rain, and snow. As a result, your car’s body parts and paint can deteriorate since the heat of the sun can ruin your paint, tire, and interior. While rain and snow can encourage mold growth.
  Alternatively, tarps can be used as cover. However, a car cover is still favored by many because it can protect your car from scratches.
• Protection against dust
  If your car is covered it can be protected from invading dust. While seemingly innocent, dust can ruin your paint when you wipe it by leaving scratches.
• Protection against trees
  If you park your car under a tree without a cover then you'll be putting it at risk. It can ruin your car’s paint when small branches, leaves, or bird nests fall on top of your vehicle. Especially when camping in forested areas.

Takeaway

Regular and simple car maintenance can go a long way in preventing expensive repairs. Keeping your car in tip-top shape helps slow-down its depreciation.

Megan Jones is an author with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Virginia. She loves staying outdoors and embracing Mother Nature at its rawest, hence her obsession with camping and everything that has to do with it. She also loves cooking, another skill that a camper like her must have, or it will purely be canned, instant goods all the way until the last day outdoors. Her love for outdoor adventures led her to share her thoughts about it. She mostly writes about camping, interior and exterior maintenance, healthy living, and related topics. If you are looking for the best camping spots, encourage your inner child to come out, honing your team work or maximizing your family time while camping, she’s the person to turn to.