Owning a personal car can make commuting convenient and stress-free for you, but it also means you'll have to meet the maintenance and repair needs of the vehicle in order to keep it running at its peak all the time.
If you've recently bought your first car — be that used or brand new — you should learn how to take proper care of your engine to avoid potential vehicle breakdowns due to engine failure as well as costly engine repair or replacement.
Here are a few car care tips that will help keep your engine healthy and in good running condition for as long as possible.
Keep Your Engine Well-Lubricated All the Time
Your engine uses oil to lubricate running parts and prevent overheating issues. However, the oil gets dirty over time due to the wear of parts and will need to be changed. Regular engine oil changes are essential to restore the supply of fresh oil, which is necessary to keep your engine running reliably.
Keep Your Engine's Cooling System in Good Working Condition
Because your engine produces a significant amount of heat when it's operating, it has a cooling system to help keep it cool. The engine cooling system comprises various components including the thermostat, water pump, radiator, radiator fan and more.
Each component has specific functions that are ultimately aimed at cooling the engine. For example, the water pump helps to circulate coolant, the thermostat regulates the temperature of the coolant while the radiator and radiator fan help cool hot coolant.
Keep Your Driving Speed at a Consistent Level
Your engine is designed to run at a continuous speed. Constant starts and stops cause your engine to wear faster because it'll have to pick up speed again every time your car slows down. Maintaining a fairly consistent speed on the road will help achieve better fuel economy but also prolong the lifespan of your engine.
Use Quality Fuel
Adulterated fuel is one of the worst enemies of car engines. The contaminants in such fuel can be really hard on your engine and can cause major engine problems that are expensive to repair. Always get your fuel from an authorised fuel retailer to ensure your engine runs on high-quality fuel.
Arrange to have a professional mechanic inspect and maintain your engine regularly. That will help you identify and solve problems that could lead to engine failure down the line.