The Car Maintenance Tasks You Should Be Keeping Up With
Australians love their cars. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in January 2020 there were 19.8 million motor vehicles registered on the roads of Australia for a population of around 25 million.
Why does Australia like it’s cars so much? Well, first of all, it is a pretty big place. If you live out in the middle of nowhere, a car is essential - you can’t just walk five minutes to the bus stop or train station or call a cab outside your home. It can be miles and miles to the nearest shops, school, or hospital, and without a car, you can be pretty much stuck.
However, running a car involves a level of maintenance and upkeep. Not only does it help to increase the lifespan of your car and prevent it from breaking down, but it is vital for safety reasons too.
The problem is that many people - as many as 30 per cents of Australians - have no idea how to carry out simple car maintenance tasks such as putting air in the tyres, and even more can’t change a tyre. Not a huge problem, you may think, but what happens if you have a blow out in the outback? You could be waiting for a very long time dor someone to come to your rescue!
Here, we look at some of the basic car maintenance tasks that you should be keeping up with, and the things you should know about your car.
Keep an eye on your tyres
Most of us recognise that car tyres are dangerous when they are pretty worn out and old but did you know that they are also hazardous with the wrong tyre pressure? The correct tyre pressure allows your car to speed up, corner, brake and hold the road effectively. It also means that you will spend less on fuel!
Learn how to check your tyres for signs that they need replacing, how to check your tyre air pressure and how to change a flat trey. These are all important skills to have as a driver, particularly if you live far away from a garage. When you do need your tyres replaced, make sure that you use a reputable supplier to keep you safe and give you maximum use, whether you need wheels for your little runaround car or a full set of 4x4 wheels.
Additionally, if you have installed alloy wheels you might want to also consider alloy wheel refurbishment. Although your alloys might look great and provide superior acceleration and braking for your car, they are also more prone to corrosion from environmental factors, so do make sure that you take preventative steps to protect your investment.
The optimum tyre pressure is wholly dependent on your make and model of car. The details can usually be found in the owner's handbook and on the information plate, usually in the driver or front passenger footwell. Check your tyre pressure every couple of weeks, when the tyres are cold. Don’t forget to check the pressure of your spare tyre while you are at it.
Check your oil and change if necessary
Checking the oil is one of the most important things that you can do for your car. It is vital to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the engine - it keeps all the parts lubricated and moving, reducing friction and stopping parts from seizing up.
Not only do you need to make sure that you have enough oil in your car, but you also need to make sure the oil in our car is clean. Old, dirty oil is not going to work effectively, and the grime build-up can cause damage.
Oil should be changed every 5,000 km to 10,000 km, or once a year, whichever comes first, as part of your annual maintenance plan. This is a task that some people prefer to leave to a professional mechanic, but it is never a bad idea to learn how to do it yourself.
Washer fluids and wiper maintenance
Your wipers are pretty important when it comes to safety. Imagine driving in a heavy rainstorm without them. At the same time, your washer fluids are essential as well. Dust, dirt and sand blow up from the road or is carried by the wind, covering your windscreen in a layer of it. This can very easily reduce visibility.
Fluid and wiper maintenance is pretty straightforward. If your wipers are smearing and not removing water effectively off the screen, or have any splits or tears in them, it is time to replace them. They generally are not expensive and most auto stores will give you advice on the correct ones to buy for your vehicle. Most will fit them for you too.
Topping up washer fluids is also pretty easy. You can buy specialist wiper fluid but plain tap water with a squirt of dishwashing soap also makes for effective wiper fluid. Lift the bonnet, find the filler point, which is usually clearly marked, and fill it up to the maximum fill point. Easy!
Ensure your lights are in perfect working order
This keeps you safe and visible on the roads, but also stops you from being pulled over by the cops. You should be regularly checking all of your lights - headlights, sidelights, fog lights, signal lights, reverse lights and brake lights - to make sure they are in good working order. The last thing that you want is to be out on the road in the dark before realising one or more do not work.
Modern cars generally have a warning light on the dashboard to show you that lights need replacing, but older models will not. Get into the habit of checking your lights once a week or so to make sure they all work. Again, they are pretty inexpensive to replace and local motor stores will be able to advise and fit for them for you if you can’t.
Making sure your car is in good, working order is something that you need to be doing if you live a distance away from a garage or drive long distances in remote areas. It is also important if you live in a dense city area. Not only does it keep you and your passengers safe, but it means your car is probably going to last a lot longer and cost you less in the long term.