Owning a vehicle is a great comfort, but it comes with a plethora of responsibilities that one must bear to keep it in its prime state. Regular maintenance is one of the ways that can play a vital part in keeping your vehicles in sound condition.
Once an automobile is purchased, the owner must be prepared to spend on the services required by every vehicle. Well-maintained Car Removal Canberra not only ensure safety but can also extend the useful life of the automobile, which is beneficial for the owners in the long run.
A vehicle comprises many systems that work in coordination for high performance. Any wear and tear in one of the systems can impact the vehicle’s overall performance.
We present 8 of the most important car systems that need consistent maintenance.
Tires
The tires are the only component in a vehicle that comes in direct contact with the road, so their optimal performance is essential for smoother car handling. Proper and regular checkups on these maintenance items can prolong the life of tires, improve fuel efficiency and provide smooth vehicle handling.
Here are a few steps you can adopt to maintain your automobile’s tires properly.
Check Air Pressure
Every vehicle manufactured today has a built-in tire pressure checking system to indicate under-inflation and low air pressure. It is important to keep the tires inflated at the level required by the vehicle, which can be checked on the vehicle manual. If the tires are underinflated, it can lead to poor fuel efficiency, the short useful life of tires and even the risk of a potential blow-out. The tire pressure must be checked at least once a month and inflated properly.
Rotate Your Tires
Rotating your tires to distribute wear and tear evenly is recommended, which can prolong the life of the tires. Most vehicle manufacturers suggest rotating tires at every oil change or every six months.
Align Your Suspension
Checking the balance of your tires and aligning the suspension properly can improve handling and increase fuel efficiency. The alignment of suspension ensures that the tires spin evenly and creates a balance of the tires on the road.
Brakes
Brakes are said to be one of the critical maintenance items of your vehicle, as they play a key role in regulating the vehicle’s movement. They are responsible for slowing down or stopping the car, so they must be properly inspected to diagnose any issues.
Brake maintenance must be handled by managing these aspects:
Replace Pads & Shoes
When the brake pads and shoes wear down, they take longer to stop a vehicle and become less effective. It is very dangerous, especially at higher speeds and in case of emergencies. Replacement of pads and shoes is required if a minor inconvenience is observed in their performance.
Inspect Brake Calipers, Rotors & Drums
Brakes perform well if these components are in good working condition. Any unusual damage must be diagnosed earlier, and a technician must be consulted immediately to resolve the issue.
Check Brake Fluid Levels
Lower brake fluid can lead to poor braking performance and even cause brake failure. Checking the fluid level in the braking system can keep it moisturized and protected from potential corrosion. Any unusual sounds and vibrations from your vehicle when you apply brakes must be checked out by an expert auto repair to navigate the issue and install prospective solutions to resolve it.
Lights
Lights in vehicles serve an enormous purpose, especially in providing safety during rides. They are also important for signaling other drivers about your next move on the road. Headlights are installed to illuminate the road ahead, especially in the dark. They allow you to spot any obstacle, passengers, or animals getting in the way, reducing the risk of collision with the headlights.
The taillights are built to illuminate the rear of your vehicle, allowing drivers to see from behind. The lights, therefore, play an important role in staying safe from hitting anything on the road and having clear vision. The lights are a significant maintenance item, requiring regular services to perform well.
Here is how you can keep a good check on the lights of your vehicle:
- Regularly check that all lights are working
- Clean and replace lenses if they are dirty
- Replace dim or burned-out bulbs
Wiper Blades
The wiper blades are integral, especially during rain, snow and hail. They help clear the windshield and back window to reduce vagueness in the drivers’ vision. In extreme weather, you are hindered by debris or snow particles, which block your vision and increase the chances of road accidents.
The wiper blades keep the windshield clean and ensure a safer drive. These wiper blades tend to perform less effectively if they are not serviced once a year at least.
There is no long therapy to replace the wiper blades as they are inexpensive and easily replaced. Don’t risk your safety for a process that won’t take much of your time, even if you consult an auto mechanic for the repair or replacement.
Fluids
Different fluids are present in your vehicle, and you must be aware of them to improve the performance of your car. The fluids are vital to keep your vehicle running smoothly, preventing overheating. Regular checking of fluid levels can help save costs and prolong your automobile’s life.
The different kinds of fluids in the vehicle are:
Engine Oil
This oil lubricates and helps in cooling the engine. The illuminating warning light on your dashboard indicates that your engine oil is running low, so it must be levelled up. The smell of burning oil and the tapping sound coming from the engine also indicates the lower level of engine oil.
Transmission Fluid
This lubricates and cools the transmission for smoother engagements and gear changes. Slipping shifts, overheating, burning smell or the transmission staying in one gear are the common signs of low transmission fluid level.
Brake Fluid
This fluid transfers pressure from the brake pedals to the brake pads and shoes to slow down or stop the vehicle. A low brake pedal, difficulty stopping the vehicle, or an illuminating warning light on the dashboard are common signs that your brake fluid level is getting low.
Coolant
This fluid keeps the engine from overheating & prevents corrosion. Warning signs of low coolant levels are a burning smell, steam coming from the hood, or a temperature warning light on the dashboard.
Windshield Washer Fluid
This fluid cleans the windshield and the back window with the help of the wiper blades. The fluid helps maintain the drivers’ visibility in extreme weather conditions. The warning lights on the dashboard or washer fluid sprayer not working are the common signs that the fluid level is low.
Transmission
Vehicle transmission is an important maintenance item, as it is a very complex and critical system of an automobile. The components in the transmission are responsible for transmitting the power from the engine to the driving wheels. The transmission is also responsible for changing the gears, allowing vehicles to operate at different speeds and loads.
If the transmission is not properly maintained, it can lead to various alarming situations, such as poor car performance, reduced fuel efficiency and transmission failure.
Here are a few suggestions that can help you maintain your automobile’s transmission for optimal performance.
Check the Transmission Fluid Level
Transmission fluid provides hydraulic pressure, lubricating, cooling and cleaning transmission parts. Therefore, it is suggested to keep the fluid level maintained regularly.
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Check for Leaks
The leaking problem in the transmission system can cause a drastic drop in fluid level, reaching a dangerously lower point. If the leak is not detected timely, it can cause serious damage to the transmission.
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Check Transmission Fluid Condition
The fluid must be free from contaminants that can block the transmission filters. Dirty or discolored fluid must be replaced with fresh, good-quality fluid in the transmission to keep the filter unblocked.
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Suspension System
The suspension system is a maintenance item as it plays an important role in absorbing the shocks and vibrations due to road conditions. This system regulates traction, stability and braking as it directly connects with the road. Any tension in the suspension system can lead to poor vehicle handling, excessive tire wear, poor fuel economy and a higher risk of road accidents.
The following tips can help maintain your suspension system.
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Inspect Shocks & Struts
Shocks and struts are the two distinguished components of the suspension system. They provide stability to the vehicle and improve the handling characteristics. They are important in keeping the tires aligned and firm on the pavement. Therefore, they must be inspected thoroughly to replace any faulty parts.
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Check Wheel Alignment
Checking wheel alignment is the process of adjusting suspension points and correcting the angle and direction of the tires in which they regulate. Checking the wheel alignment can reduce the wear and tear of the tires and improve the vehicle’s fuel consumption.
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Battery
The battery is one of the main maintenance items, as it is an important source of providing crucial energy to power various components. The vehicle won’t be able to start or run properly without the battery. It powers electronic components and other accessories like the vehicle’s light, navigation and entertainment systems.
The common signs of dying batteries are reduced cranking power, decreased voltage output, dimmed lights and swelling in the battery case. Expert help is suggested if your car battery is dying.
Conclusion
Regular vehicle maintenance is important for many reasons. It ensures safe operations and improved performance of the vehicle. The automobiles function smoothly, saving you the cost of fuel and additional repairs.
Refraining from neglecting maintenance items is not beneficial in the long run, as vehicles stop serving the purpose of their purpose in the early years. Scrapping them will be the only solution for a car that is not maintained regularly.
