Bringing home a new car is thrilling, but new owners may feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with maintenance. While proper care seems complicated, there are simple habits all new owners should adopt right away to protect their investment. This article outlines the top 10 fundamental maintenance tasks for new car owners. From changing oil regularly to inspecting fluids, tires, and lights, these basic procedures will optimize your car’s performance and longevity. Adopting these easy best practices now prevents the need for pricey repairs later on. With a little time invested upfront, new owners can keep their vehicles running smoothly for years. Follow this routine maintenance schedule to enjoy your new car for the long haul.
Table of Contents
Regular oil change
You should never ignore regular oil changes. Engine oil is responsible for lubricating the internal components of your vehicle engine. It will reduce friction within the engine. It can also reduce the wear and tear of the engine. Along with time, engine oil gets contaminated with debris and dust. This will reduce the overall effectiveness of oil. This is where you need to go ahead with an oil change. You can notice a failing engine oil with reduced fuel efficiency.
For most cars, you will need to do the engine oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. It is better if you can follow manufacturer guidelines for it. Then you can make sure that your car engine runs smoothly along with time. If you are from Brendale, you can contact a reputed Brendale Automotive mechanic for an oil change.
Brake inspection and maintenance
Brakes are the most important safety feature of your car. This is why you should conduct regular brake inspections. It will help you to ensure the proper functioning of the car. You should also keep your eyes on the failing signs of the brakes. Grinding noises, vibrating steering wheel, and spongy brake pedal are some of those signs. When you experience such signs, you need to go ahead with brake pad and rotor replacement as soon as possible.
Ignoring brake inspection can lead you to major issues along with time. It will also compromise your safety on the road. It is better to go for a brake inspection at least two times a year.
Tyre rotation and maintenance
Proper tyre maintenance will not just ensure your safety on the road. It will also help you with enhancing the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. You need to check tyre pressure regularly. Then you need to inflate the tyres to recommended levels. Underinflated tyres can wear out faster. It can also reduce the overall fuel efficiency of the tyres. On the other hand, overinflated tyres can compromise the handling and traction of your car.
During tyre rotation, you need to look for signs of uneven wear and damage as well. By rotating the tyres regularly, you will be able to promote even wear. This will help you to extend the overall lifespan of the tyres. It will also create a positive impact on overall handling.
Checking vehicle fluid levels
Apart from engine oil checks, you should also conduct other fluid level checks of your vehicle regularly. They include transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. You need to proceed with topping up the fluid levels as you need as well. You should do this with the engine health check to get the best results.
When you keep proper fluid levels, you can make sure that all systems of your car are functioning properly. This will help you to overcome potential damage as well. But if you ignore transmission fluid checks and other checks, you will end up with transmission problems, overheating, and many other issues. A Brendale Mechanic will be able to help you with inspecting all fluid levels and topping them up.
Battery life assessment
The battery is the heart of your vehicle’s electrical system. Therefore, you need to do a proper battery life assessment according to the regular service schedule. This is where you need to make sure that your battery terminals are clean. They need to be free from corrosion as well. You do car washing and detailing to maintain the exterior looks of the car. Likewise, you should also look inside, including the battery terminals.
In addition to routine maintenance, be sure to monitor your car battery, especially during extreme weather. Test the charge level and output voltage regularly, and have an expert assess batteries older than 3 years. They can determine if replacement is needed or if the battery can continue to function safely. Don’t take chances with an ageing battery that may fail when you need it most. Make battery testing a priority, as a breakdown can occur at the most inconvenient time. Identify and resolve any battery issues promptly to avoid being stranded. With proactive checks and timely replacement, your car battery will reliably deliver power when you turn the key.
Air filter change
During car maintenance, you should do an air filter change as well. You must do this while adhering to the car manual guidelines. The air filter is responsible for keeping dust, dirt, and debris away from entering the engine of your car. Along with time, it will get clogged. This will restrict the flow of clean air into the engine. This can reduce engine performance as well as fuel efficiency. This is why you should go ahead with air filter changes as a part of regular safety checks.
Final words
Now you are aware of the tips to keep in mind during car maintenance. Apart from these tips, you should also focus on replacing windshield wipers, spark plug replacement, and proper alignment. Always keep an eye on the dashboard warning lights as well. Then you will be able to prevent the possible issues that would come on your way as you drive the car. Pick a Brendale Automotive mechanic that you can trust for it, and you can keep peace of mind.
