Whether you’re a total petrolhead and your car is your pride and joy, or you just need it to get from A to B each day, you’ll want your car to run as smoothly as possible for as long as possible to protect your investment. Luckily, there are ways you can do this, without needing to be a mechanic, so here are some tips to get great performance and reduce the risk of a breakdown.
- Avoid short journeys
Not only are short journeys bad for the environment, and cost you a fortune in fuel, they also contribute to wear and tear of your car. If your journey is less than a couple of miles, consider whether there are other ways to make it such as awalking or cycling. If you only ever take short journeys, try to add in some longer ones to ensure the engine is running efficiently.
- Change your oil and fluids regularly
Even those who know nothing about cars can do a few DIY maintenance jobs such as:
- Checking and topping up your oil
- Replacing your screen wash
- Checking your brake fluid
- Replace your oil filter regularly
If you don’t feel confident doing these things, book regular servicing instead, as this will ensure your car’s maintenance is carried out properly.
- Get a tune-up
Engine tune-ups aren’t as important in modern cars as they used to be. However, it’s still worth having them done now and again, to check things such as the plugs and wires and look for potential issues. Don’t wait until your car is performing badly. Ask your mechanic how often it needs a tune-up and make sure you put an alert in your phone’s calendar.
- Drive responsibly
If you drive like a boy racer, then your car is going to be about as well maintained as one of their stock cars. While modern cars can go from 0-60 in a few seconds, you shouldn’t be accelerating quickly, as this puts a strain on the engine. Same for braking. If you slow down by coasting, rather than sudden braking, you put less pressure on the engine and your car runs better.
- Empty the boot
For some people, their car is like a second home, and it can soon get filled with boxes of junk. If you are hauling around heavy objects regularly, this puts strain on your car, especially when you accelerate or brake. If your car isn’t driving smoothly, you should take your car into Toowoomba’s automotive suspension specialists, who can fix the system and ensure you don’t feel all the bumps when you drive.
- Appreciate your car
You can always tell a car that has been well taken care of. From regular cleaning to scheduled maintenance, if you take care of your car, it’ll give you years of service.
Taking care of your car and keeping it running smoothly doesn’t require a lot of time or skill. It’s worth learning a few DIY skills, then finding a great mechanic to do the rest, ensuring that your car is well looked after whenever things go wrong.
