Cars are not as limited in ownership as they were during their introduction. They have become very affordable, with more than a million units being sold in Australia every year. They have become a necessity like houses. With the increasing number of cars being bought, car owners need to know the workings of their machines. Car cultures are surrounding such works, where people modify their vehicles to their liking. They are also influenced automobile by the availability of cheap parts in certain areas. For instance, cheap tyres in Sydney are commonly available and are being bought.
Importance of Maintenance
Maintaining a car is vital in many ways. Some of the major reasons to do regular maintenance are:
Safety – Maintenance helps with the car’s efficiency by ensuring that all the parts are not damaged and are running smoothly. Other than helping with efficiency, this also ensures that the car is safe for use. Accidents are often caused due to the automobile wear and tear caused on car components. Moreover, ensuring that the safety components work without hiccups also depends on proper maintenance.
Performance – Certain car components can be affected by wear more than others. This may affect the overall reliability and performance of the car. However, regular maintenance can allow changing of such parts and improvement in performance.
Money – Regular maintenance checks can help save a lot of money in the long run. Without such checks, potential issues present in the car may worsen, adding more to the repair costs. Like in the earlier example of cheap tyres in Sydney, you can easily find affordable car components. According to the AAA, Australians spend around 50 dollars a week on car repairs and spares.
Resale Value – A properly maintained car can last longer without any significant problems popping up. Car buyers are particular and know what they’re looking for. Showing that the vehicle has gone through checks can ensure value for money.
Common Maintenance
The following are basic procedures for car maintenance that one should be familiar with.
Regular Inspections – Inspections are just checks to ensure that the car components are working without problems. It can be easily done by oneself. If there are any issues, the maintenance procedure can be done with the help of the owner’s manual. But in the case of more complicated problems, professional service is advised.
Tire Pressure – Tire pressure plays an important role in fuel consumption. It also changes the way the car handles. Weekly checks are recommended for tires. This can be done with common basic gadgets. Changing worn-out tires is also important.
Warning lights – Cars nowadays have various mechanisms to inform the user of any issues or malfunctions. Most of these are in the form automobile of Ford diesel warning lights on the instrument panel. It is vital to know the warning lights and what to do when they light up.
Tread Depth – Tire tread has the function of improving grip on wet road conditions. Regular checks are required to determine whether the tread has not worn off too much. Most manufacturers include wear bars on their tires to avoid guesswork.
Check Oil – A car has a lot of moving parts. These parts brush against each other, causing friction. Oil is meant to reduce that friction. If the friction increases, the components can heat up, causing reduced performance. Checking the oil level is quite easy and just involves checking the oil dipstick. Keep in mind to park the car on level ground.
Author Name: Hannah Gilbert
