Do you want your car to maintain its performance, fuel efficiency, and longevity? Well, it depends on how conscious you are in terms of taking good care of your car’s engine. So, if you want to keep your engine running smoothly for many years, you need to consider regular maintenance and mindful driving.
Perform Regular Oil Changes
The reason why you have to regularly perform oil changes is that it can affect the engine performance over time. Note that oil can lubricate the engine parts, keeps the engine cool, and reduces friction. You can check the owner’s manual of your car if you want to determine the interval to your next oil change. High-performance engines or even older ones may need to undergo more frequent changes. But make sure that you only use the recommended oil grade and only synthetic oil to achieve better performance and longevity.
Check Coolant Levels
Your car’s engine needs to have enough coolant in order to avoid overheating and corrosion within the cooling system. If you often see coolant leaks under your car, it is important that you address this so that you can prevent overheating. You can check the vehicle manual to find out when to replace the coolant based on manufacturer specifications.
Replace Air Filter
The importance of an air filter is that it enables the engine to breathe properly. As a result, it will improve the performance and fuel efficiency. Air filters also need to be replaced every 12 to 15 thousand miles, especially if you are driving in dusty conditions. Speaking of dusty conditions, you can keep your engine dust-free with the use of an air box. You may check your air filter every time your car needs to get an oil change to ensure that it is in good condition.
Use High-Quality Fuel
You need to understand that high-quality fuel contains detergents that will help in keeping fuel injectors clean and preventing deposits in the engine. That said, you need to use a fuel grade recommended by the manufacturer and avoid lower quality fuel. You may also use a fuel system cleaner every 3 to 5 thousand miles to help in the reduction of carbon build-up.
Drive Gently and Smoothly
If you want to extend the life of your engine while improving fuel economy, you need to consider gentle driving as it can reduce strain on the engine. In this case, you should avoid sudden acceleration, hard braking, and high RPMs. Thus, you can help in achieving engine longevity by doing gradual acceleration and consistent speeds. Likewise, you need to avoid prolonged idling as it is unnecessary and only wastes fuel.
Clean the Engine Bay
Cleaning the engine bay will prevent dust, dirt, and debris from building up. Note that the build-up of these pollutants can reduce engine performance and will cause overheating. So, you have to keep the engine bay clean by wiping down the engine bay every few months or so. Don’t hose down the engine bay because the water can damage the electrical components. A damp cloth instead is recommended to provide controlled cleaning.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule
There is always a specific car maintenance schedule for every vehicle because they are designed to keep the engine and other systems running smoothly. Therefore, you have to follow closely the intervals needed for oil changes, filter replacements, and belt and hose checks. You may keep a record of all maintenance services to your vehicle to help you stay organised and maintain your car’s resale value.
Replace Belts and Hoses as Needed
Your car’s engine operation depends on the condition of its timing and serpentine belts. When any of the belts need replacement, always pay attention to it to avoid any serious engine damage. You can have belts and hoses inspected every thirty thousand miles and have them replaced if needed. There are signs like cracks or fraying on the belts, as well as leaks and swelling in the hoses.
Avoid Frequent Short Trips
You should know that short trips may not give the engine enough time to reach its optimal operating temperature. As a result, it can lead to the build-up of sludge that can affect the engine’s performance. You may take your car for a longer drive occasionally if it is unavoidable to drive short distances regularly.
Your car also needs to get parked in the shade when not in use. That is because the excessive heat of the sun can also wear down the engine components that will lead to fluid evaporation. You may also use a sunshade if parking under the sun is unavoidable to reduce heat-related wear.
