For many vehicle owners, a car is a major investment, but people often forget to take care of their car until a problem happens. Fortunately, there are certain tactics for reducing vehicle wear and tear that can make a noticeable difference in extending your vehicle’s life. Keep the following tips in mind to begin working toward exceptional car maintenance habits.
Be Mindful of Your Air Brakes
With commercial vehicles, air brakes are another factor that you must consider along with other maintenance issues.
An air brake system operates in the same way the brakes on a car or light truck do. The only difference is that air brakes use compressed air to activate a vehicle’s braking system. When it comes to safety, this specific braking system is particularly efficient for operating large vehicles such as buses and trucks. Undeniably, as the braking system is an important safety feature, your air brakes need to be checked regularly to ensure they are operating correctly.
Furthermore, when addressing any maintenance concerns with your air brake system, it’s best to refer to the manufacturers’ guidelines for your specific unit. And it’s not just checking that the equipment is safe either, you as a driver must be certified as safe too!
If you are operating a commercial vehicle with air brakes, you must pass an air brake test. This test ensures that you are properly equipped with the right information to successfully and safely operate a vehicle with air brakes.
Be strict about performing routine maintenance.
Your vehicle has certain requirements you need to follow that are outlined in your owner’s manual to keep everything functioning correctly, and failing to perform recommended maintenance could cause you to face expensive repair costs. Recommended actions typically include checkups, fluid changes, or repairs. Each car may have different recommended manufacturer guidelines. It’s also important to know that some warranties require for you to abide by the guidelines identified in your car’s maintenance schedule.
Don’t neglect your oil.
Oil is essential for engine help because it cleans, lubricates, and cools the engine. Changing the oil is not very expensive, but it can be expensive if you neglect it. Instead of following the suggestions by the shop performing the oil change, look at the instructions in your owner’s manual. The manufacturer will tell you what’s best for your car. Also, you can look at the thickness and the color of the oil to see if it seems too gritty. You may prefer to keep it as clean as possible to extend your engine life.
Take care of your tires.
Tire damage can be easy to prevent if you’re careful. Be careful when going around a tight curb as the edges of your tires become worn over time. Driving over a pothole can cause extra wear and leaks in your tires, and can impact your car’s alignment. Fill your tire with air if pressure is low. Make sure tires don’t have tread separation, and find out what causes tread separation to be sure your tires aren’t affected. Get your wheels rotated and have the alignment done consistently.
Don’t let your brake pads become too worn.
Pay attention – it may be time for new disc brake pads if you start to hear squealing when you slow down. Newer vehicles are equipped with disc brakes on at least the front wheels, and some cars have them on all wheels. Disc brakes work by two sides of the disc or rotor of the brake being closed within a caliper, ending the rotation of the wheel. Pads can become worn because they are only comprised of a material layer that’s located between the rotor and the metal caliper. If the pads become too worn, it can harm the rotor.
It’s important to take care of your car because doing so also takes care of your family’s budget. Vehicle repairs can be costly and are never a fun expense to have, but most cars are made well today and can be reliable if taken care of properly.
