Car troubles, there’s a good chance you’ve had to deal with at least one of these in the past. In assistance to you and other car owners, I have put together some preventive maintenance hints to help you avoid some car troubles and let you enjoy your vehicle longer than you expect it to serve you. To put it shortly, to prolong the life span of your car.
- An emergency kit is a crucial item to have handy in your car. This kit should contain a number of items, including tools, flares, a gas container and an emergency battery charger. Add some blankets, a flashlight and some batteries in case your car breaks down at night.
- The mechanic that you use should be A.S.E certified. This certification confirms the mechanic has a lot of experience working on cars. That means only the best will work on your car.
- Regularly check your radiator’s performance. Let the car run a while, shut off the engine and then pop the hood. Then check the coolant level, but while the car is not running. You do not want the coolant to get hot; it is dangerous. Use a dipstick to gauge how much radiator fluid you have, keeping in mind that most types need to be diluted with water.
- Clean your car on a regular basis so it doesn’t become rusty. Rust is an inevitability, but you can stave it off for a good while. Utilize quality waxes to keep the paint looking new.
- Make sure you are receiving OEM parts . OEM parts mean that part was produced by the manufacturer specifically for your make and model of vehicle. While they often cost a little more, they typically work better for longer periods of time. It can appear like a deal right now and cost twice the amount later as OEM components, to begin with.
- If you plan to take your car to the shop, do not leave anything inside the car. They will likely be taken out and may be lost. You want to remove items from your trunk also.
- Remove valuable things from your car prior to taking it in to get fixed. The mechanic might have to remove certain items, and they won’t be liable if it goes missing. Take all items out of your trunk, too.
- Make sure your mechanic knows how to work on your make of vehicle. Although cars are generally similar in some ways, there are big differences between models. If you don’t know, make sure you go to the dealer and pay them the extra money.
- Prior to bringing your car to a shop for repairs, try to find out what the issue is. You can save a ton of cash via diagnosing the issue yourself, and you could prevent fraud. Unfortunately, some shops are less than honest when diagnosing issues.
- Keep a spare tire and jack handy at all times. They are included with most new vehicles. You don’t need to be stuck somewhere you don’t know and need to pay a lot for towing. It is simpler and cheaper to do the work yourself.
Although you feel you’re an expert in auto repair or maintenance, we still recommend having your car investigated by a professional on a timely basis. This is to ensure that no problems are being missed in case of an oversight. Call Phoenix Diesel Repair if you’d want your car looked over by an expert.
