The ABCs of car care for every drivers

Not a car geek? Don’t despair; learning the basics of car care can never come too late - or too early. You can greatly benefit from pointers even before you learn how to drive. We have here the car care guide that's easy to remember even if you’re a newbie. Check it out in this article from Philkotse.com

I. Always remember: "Prevention is better than cure"

Have a preventive maintenance plan. Different car parts will call for various schedules for replacement. That's why it's a good thing to keep a record of all the work done on your car. Keep a record on your phone, in an app or even in a notebook - it's entirely up to you.

Before you ultimately call yourself a driver, you should first know that your driving privileges come with responsibilities. We're not referring to your responsibilities on the road but, rather, your responsibility to take care of the vehicle you drive.

An unkempt car that doesn't get regular maintenance is likely to be in a bad condition. This may endanger you and the people around you whenever you drive it. Know your vehicle’s preventive maintenance schedule and stick to it.

Your driving privileges come with responsibilities

>>> Must read: 7 Basic Car Maintenance All Philippine Drivers Should Know

1. Check all the renewable fluids in your car

If you're not familiar with what’s under your car’s hood, then it might be hard for you to locate its fluids. To get the info you need, simply refer to the car manual. If that's not possible, you can use the make and manufacturer of the car and search for details about it on the web. Once you know where to look for the specific engine fluids, check for:

• Engine oil
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Windshield washer solvent

Take notice of the level of the substances inside their containers. Then, unscrew the container cap to take out the dipstick. This should be able to show the level of where the fluid needs to be. Refill whichever engine fluid needs replenishment.

Take notice of the level of the substances inside their containers

2. Check the belts and hoses

The belts and hoses under your car's engine play a vital role. These will normally wear out over time and it will most likely cause your car to break down. To avoid such situations, always inspect them before leaks and tears happen.

Keep in mind that car parts suffer more strain in hot, summer days than regular days. That is why we advise you to double your vigilance and inspect them more often at these times.

The belts and hoses under your car's engine play a vital role in its performance

3. Check your battery

Take a look at your battery as well. Make sure that the connections are clean and tight. It's also important that your car battery is free from external damage. Constantly checking on it will help you think ahead before a defective and damaged battery creates a bigger problem for you.

Also, look for signs of corrosion that could be eating at the battery terminals. If you find small traces of corrosion, remove immediately. If your battery has too much damage, the best solution is to replace it.

Constantly checking on it will help you think ahead before a defective and damaged battery creates a bigger problem for you

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4. Check the brakes

The brakes work by having two rubber pads clamp onto the rotor and hug it so the vehicle slows down and stops. Once you notice that your brakes are taking more time to fully stop the car, you may need to have them checked or even replaced.

Another obvious sign that your brakes are calling for attention is if you hear a screeching or a long, squeaking sound whenever you step on the pedal. You can eventually lose the brakes if there's no more rubber to stop the rotor and most probably get into an accident.

Look for signs of wear on your brakes to check it

>>> Worth to note: 6 signs showing that your car's brake system needs maintenance

5. Inspect suspension and steering

Suspension and steering parts include the shock absorbers, the chassis parts, struts, and other components like the tie rod ends and ball joints among others. These are mainly responsible for keeping the car together and let you take control of the vehicle.

Have these elements inspected every time you get an oil change? If you hear any sound, feel anything wrong with the steering or maybe the car vibrates every now and then, there will no longer be a need for a maintenance inspection. By this time, you should already be seeking repair services.

6. Check your tires

The tires are among the most recognized wear-and-tear parts. Tire maintenance includes tire rotation and wheel alignment. These include a lot of work along with a few tools. However, you can still do the most basic way to detect if there's a problem with your tire.

Rotating your tires periodically helps maintain the car’s drivability

You can: 1) Run your hands on the tire and check for blisters, cracks, and bumps or 2) Drive in a straight path and keep the steering wheel steady to notice if there's any tugging in any direction.

II. Repair your car in time

If you find something wrong with your car, don't wait for it to break down on you. Immediately have it repaired or have the part replaced to avoid further damage. Neglecting small roots of damage can eventually sprout into a hazardous predicament; especially if you still decide to drive your car even with the problem unresolved.

Have your car repaired as soon as possible when notice any problems

III. Be ready when your car is during maintenance

A maintenance checkup can take up to a few minutes and even up to a few days if major parts need to be replaced. By this time, you won't be able to use your car so best prepare a contingency plan regarding your mode of transport.

You can make use of public transport like PUJs or even utilize paid carpooling services - whichever fits your budget.

Be ready to use public transport during your car maintenance time

>>>Click here to get more helpful tips and advice for your car maintenance.